Virtues of Six Fasts After Eid

» Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub (Radi Allahu Anhu) has narrated the following statement of the Holy Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam): ‘‘Whoever keeps fasts in Ramadan and then keeps six fasts in Shawwal, it is as if he has kept fasts for his entire life.’’ [Sahih Muslim, Page 592, Hadith 1164]

» Sayyiduna Sauban (Radi Allahu Anhu) has narrated that the Prophet of mankind, the Peace of our heart and mind, the most Generous and Kind (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) has said: ‘‘The one fasting six days after Eid-ul-Fitr (in Shawwal) has fasted the entire year because whoever brings one good deed will get ten rewards (for it).’’ [Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol. 2, Page 333, Hadith 1715]

» Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (Radi Allahu Anhu) has narrated that the Noble Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) has said: ‘‘The one fasting in Ramadan and then fasting six days in Shawwal has been cleansed from sins as if he was born from his mother’s womb today.’’ [Majma’ al-Zawaid, Vol. 3, Page 425, Hadith 5102]

NOTE: It is better to have these six fasts separately (on alternate days or after every two/three days), but there is still no harm if somebody fasts consecutively after Eid-ul-Fitr. [Bahar-e-Shari’at, Part 5, Page 140]

Blessings of Sahari

» Eat Sahari because it is a blessed (food). [Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 1, Page 633, Hadith 1923]

» The distinguishing factor between us and the people of the book (Ahl al-Kitab) lies in eating Sahari. [Sahih Muslim, Page 552, Hadith 1096]

» Allah and His angels send mercy upon the people who eat Sahari. [Sahih Ibn Hibban, Vol. 5, Page 194, Hadith 3458]

» Eat Sahari to gain strength for fast and take rest (siesta) in the afternoon to gain strength for worshipping at night. [Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol. 3, Page 321, Hadith 1693]

» Sahari is a blessing Allah has granted you (therefore) do not miss it. [Sunan al-Kubra, Nasai, Vol. 2, Page 79, Hadith 2472]

» There are three people who will not be held accountable no matter how much they eat, provided the food is Halal: (a) A fasting person at the time of Iftar. (b) The one who eats at Sahari and (c) A warrior that protects the Islamic border in the path of Allah. [At-Targhib wat-Tarhib, Vol. 2, Page 90, Hadith 9]

» Sahari is full of blessings, so do not miss it even if you drink just a sip of water. Allah and His angels send mercy upon the people who consume Sahari. [Musnad Imam Ahmad, Vol. 4, Page 88, Hadith 11396]

» Sayyiduna Irbad bin Sariyah [Radi Allahu Anhu] has narrated that once the Beloved and Blessed Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) called him to eat Sahari with him during the month of Ramadan and said: ‘Come for a blessed breakfast.’ [Sunan Abi Dawud, Vol. 2, Page 442, Hadith 2344]

44 Causes of Deprivation in Sustenance

1. To eat without washing the hands.

2. To eat without covering the head.

3. To eat in the dark.

4. To eat and drink whilst sitting at the doorstep.

5. To eat near the deceased.

6. To eat without bathing after sexual intercourse or a nocturnal emission.

7. To delay eating after the food has been served.

8. To eat on a bed without laying a dining-mat.

9. To eat on a bed whilst you are sitting by the headboard and the food is served towards the direction where you place your feet (at the time of sleeping).

10. To bite off the bread instead of breaking it with the hands (those who eat burgers should also take care).

11. To use broken clay or porcelain plates, cups etc. (It is Makruh to drink water, tea etc. from the side of a cup that is chipped. Do not use the plates, cups etc. that are cracked as there are many harmful germs and bacteria that may be embedded within the cracks and may cause deceases).

12. Not to clean the used plates, pots etc.

13. To wash the hands in the container used for eating.

14. To swallow food-particles stuck between the teeth after removing them by dental floss or toothpick etc.

15. To leave the plates, glasses etc. used for eating uncovered. One should recite Bismillah and cover them because if left uncovered, calamities descend into the food and drink and spoil them, causing illness.

16. To throw bread at such places where it would be disrespected or trampled by people.

17. To sleep in excess. (This can also cause ignorance).

18. To sleep naked.

19. To urinate shamelessly. (Those that urinate in public on roadsides should pay heed).

20. To be lazy in picking up fallen crumbs or bits of food from the dining-mat.

21. To burn the peel of an onion or garlic.

22. To sweep one’s home with clothes.

23. To sweep at night.

24. To leave trash (garbage) inside the home.

25. To walk ahead of the Mashaikh (scholars and saints).

26. To call parents by their names.

27. To clean the hands with mud or sand.

28. To stand whilst leaning on a side of the door.

29. To make Wudu in the lavatory.

30. To sew clothes etc. whilst wearing them.

31. To wipe one’s face with the clothing one is wearing.

32. To leave spiders’ webs in the home.

33. To be lazy in offering Salah.

34. To exit the Masjid early after offering Salat al-Fajr.

35. To go to the market very early in the morning.

36. To come back from the marketplace late.

37. To curse children. (Some women often curse their children. Then they also complain about the lack of blessings in sustenance).

38. To commit sins, specifically lies.

39. To put out an oil lamp by blowing.

40. To use a broken comb.

41. Not to make Du’a for one’s parents.

42. To wrap the turban around the head whilst sitting.

43. To put on the pants or pyjamas whilst standing.

44. To avoid performing good deeds.

— — —
Excerpted from:
Ta'leem al-Muta'allim Pages 73-76
Sunni Bahishti Zaiwar, Pages 595-601

5 Special Merits of Ramadan

Sayyiduna Abu Sa'eed Khudri (Radi Allahu Anhu) has narrated that the Beloved Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) has said: “On the first night of Ramadan, the portals of the skies and Paradise are opened which remain open until the last night (of the month). So if anyone:

1. Offers Salah (Prayer) in any night of this month, Allah will reward him with 1,500 virtues for every Sajdah (Prostration) and

2. Make a palace of Red Rubies for him that will have 60,000 gates. The gates will have hinges of gold that will be embroidered with red rubies.

3. Thus, the one who fasts on the first day of Ramadan will be forgiven for his sins until the last day of the month and

4. 70,000 angels will ask for his forgiveness from morning till evening.

5. Each time he prostrates during the day or at night, he will be granted a tree in Heaven and each tree is so huge that a horse rider can ride under its shadow for 500 years!”

[Bayhaqi, Shu'ab al-Iman, Vol. 3, Page 314, Hadith 3635]

Sixty Thousand Sinners Forgiven Every Night

Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn Masud (Radi Allahu Anhu) has narrated that the Beloved and Blessed Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) has stated,

"At every night of Ramadan, an announcement is made in the skies till dawn, ‘O seeker of goodness! Complete (i.e. keep worshipping Allah) and rejoice, and O evil one! Give up your evil and take some lesson. Is there any seeker of forgiveness, his desire will be fulfilled? Is there anyone repenting, his repentance will be accepted? Is there anyone making Dua, his Dua will be accepted? Is there anyone who seeks anything, he will be bestowed what he wishes for?’ Each evening of Ramadan at the time of sunset, Allah Almighty frees sixty thousand sinners from Hell, and on the day of Eid, He forgives as many people as the total number of those who were freed throughout the month."

[Bayhaqi, Shu'ab al-Iman, Vol. 5, Page 221, Hadith 3334]