Bismillahirahmanirahim....
Assallamualaikum,
I'm sure there is a similar thread...but this is just a reminder to all.
Mod if you want to delete it...feel free to do it.
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Certain Aspects and Rulings related to fasting
v For the obligatory fast in the month of Ramadhan, it is incumbent on everyone to have intention before the appearance of Fajr.
v Fast is performed between the time of True Fajr (that which makes food forbidden for the fasting person, and makes Fajr prayer lawful, as explained by Ibn `Abbas, May Allah be please with him, and the time as soon it is seen that the sun has set.
v The interval between the end of suhoor (the pre-dawn meal) and the start of the obligatory prayer is the interval sufficient to recite fifty Ayaat, as indicated by the Prophet, Peace & Blessing of Allah be upon him, and related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
v Eating the pre-dawn meal (suhoor) contains many blessings and the Prophet , Peace & Blessing of Allah be upon him, ordered us to do take it, forbade us from leaving it and told us to take suhoor to make a distinction between our fast and the fast of the People of the Book. In spite of this, Ibn Hajar reports in Fathul-Baaree that there is Ijmaa` that it is mustahabb (recommendation). Allah knows best.
v Falsehood, ignorant and indecent speeches are to be avoided as they may render one's fasting futile.
v A fasting person can begin fasting while in the state of Janaabah (major state of impurity that requires bath due to a sexual intercourse), as explained in Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim.
v Use of Siwaak (tooth-stick) is permitted. Likewise, washing the mouth and nose is permitted, but it should not be done strongly.
v The Prophet forbade a youth to kiss while fasting, while he allowed an old man since he is able to control himself.
v Giving blood and injections which do not provide nourishment does not break the fast. Also, there is no harm in tasting food, provided it does not reach the throat.
v Pouring cold water over one's head and taking a bath contain no harm to a fasting person.
v It is Sunnah of the Prophet and the practice of his companions to break the fast as soon as the Sun sets even if some bright redness remains upon the horizon. Muslims are strongly encouraged to hasten breaking the fast. The Prophet, Peace & Blessing of Allah be upon him, said: "The Deen will not cease to be uppermost as long as the people hasten to break the fast, since the Jews and the Christians delay it." [Abu Dawood, Ibn Hibbaan, Hasan]
v The Prophet, Peace & Blessing of Allah be upon him, used to break his fast before praying and he used to break it with fresh dates, if not then with older dates. And if not with dates, than with some mouthfuls of water.
v The supplication of the fasting person when he breaks his fast is not rejected. The best du’aa' (supplication) is that reported from Allah's Messenger, Peace & Blessings be upon him. He used to say when breaking the fast: "Dhahaba-DH-DHama'u wabtallatil-`urooqu, wa thabatal ajru inshaa Allah." (The thirst has gone, the veins are moistened and the reward is certain, if Allah wills.) [Abu Dawood, al-Baihaqee, al-Haakim and others, Hasan]
v The Prophet said: "He who gives food for a fasting person to break his fast, he will receive the same reward as him, except that nothing will be reduced from the fasting persons reward." [Ahmad, at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah, Ibn Hibbaan, Sahih]. Also, a fasting Muslim should not reject invitation of another Muslim to break fast.
v Deliberate eating and drinking, making oneself vomit, menstruation, after-birth bleeding, injection containing nourishment and sexual intercourse all nullify the fast.
v As for Lailatul-Qadr, the Night of Decree, that is better than a thousand months (see Soorah Qadr (97)), the Prophet , Peace & Blessing of Allah be upon him, told us: "Seek it in the last ten, and if one of you is too weak or unable then let him not allow that to make him miss the final seven." [al-Bukhari, Muslim]. That which is the most specific states, "seek it on the (twenty) ninth and the (twenty) seventh and the (twenty) fifth." [al-Bukhari]
v The Prophet, Peace & Blessing of Allah be upon him, used to exert himself greatly during Lailatul-Qadr. He would spend the nights in worship, detaching himself from women and ordering his family with this. So every Muslim should be eager to stand in prayer during Lailatul Qadr out of Iman and hoping for the great reward.
The Prophet, Peace & Blessing of Allah be upon him, said: "Whoever stands (in prayer) in Lailatul Qadr out of Iman and seeking reward then his previous sins are forgiven." [al-Bukhari, Muslim]
v The supplication that the Messenger of Allah , Peace & Blessing of Allah be upon him, taught `Aa'isha, May Allah be please with her, to say when seeking the Night of Decree is:
"O Allah you are the one who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me." [at-Tirmidhee, Ibn Maajah, Sahih]
v It is Sunnah to pray Taraweeh in congregation and the one who knew the best the practice of the Prophet, Peace & Blessing of Allah be upon him, at night, `Aa'isha, May Allah be please with her, said: "Allah's Messenger did not increase upon eleven rak`ahs in Ramadhan, or outside it." [al-Bukhari, Muslim]
v All who are capable should take advantage of the month of Ramadhan and perform I`tikaaf, i.e. fully attach oneself to worshipping in the mosque. One should inquire how the Prophet, Peace & Blessing of Allah be upon him, performed I`tikaaf.
v Zakaatul Fitr is prescribed by Allah as a purification for those who fasted from loose and indecent talk, and to feed the poor Muslims as a provision for `Eidul Fitr. One should inquire further about rulings related to it, especially upon whom it is obligatory and what is its quantity.
v The last but not the least, we should strive to constantly improve our worship and obedience of Allah the Most High, including once the month of Ramadhan is over, inshaa' Allah.
source :
http://www.whymuhammad.com