The Official Ramadan Thread. Ramadan 1430 A.H/August 2009

['Abd-al Latif]

The month of Ramadan is next month.

The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadan i.e. is present at his home), he must observe fasts that month… [al-Baqarah 2:185]

The Prophet (saaws) used to tell his Companions the good news of the onset of Ramadan, and urge them to make the most of it.

Abu Hurayrah (saaws) said: “The Messenger of Allah (saaws) said,

There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month. Allah has made it obligatory on you to fast (this month). During it the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are locked, and the devils are chained up. In it there is a night that is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is deprived indeed. [Reported by al-Nisaa'i, 4/129; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/490]

[Hayaa]

Fasting: Its Wisdom and its Benefits

| Sheikh Salman al-Oadah|




There is great wisdom in why fasting has been prescribed for us. We might only be able to appreciate a fraction of this wisdom, the rest of it being beyond the scope of our knowledge.


Fasting strengthens our devotion to Allah

Fasting brings to fore the reality of our subservience to Allah and it helps in our submission to Him. This is why fasting has been made one of the pillars of Islam, so that Islam itself is incomplete without it. Fasting conditions the worshipper upon obedience and upon carrying out his religious duties. It also reminds him that he is the servant of Allah Almighty and of no one else.

We see that Allah orders His servants to eat at certain times, so that if they were to fast at those times, they would be sinning. This is the case for the two `Îd celebrations. This is also the case for someone who fasts consecutive days without breaking his fast at night. At other times, by contrast, the worshippers are ordered to fast, so that if they were to eat at those times, they would be sinning.

We see the same thing when a pilgrim enters into the sacred state of ihrâm. While he is in that state, he is prohibited from certain things that he is commanded to do at other times. In this and many other ways, the worshipper continually reminds himself that he is the servant of Allah who complies with his Lord's command and who keeps to the limits set by his Lord.

This is a concept of great significance that if people would only realize it in their worship, their devotions would then have a far greater impact upon them. The state of a believer should be that of a dutiful sentinel standing at attention, whose hand is ever poised to action and who is ready to advance and go forth whenever he is commanded to do so.

The importance of our worshipping Allah is one of the greatest objectives behind our fasting and behind all of our acts of devotion. Unfortunately, many Muslims fall short in their appreciation of this fact. Though they adhere to the performance of these acts of worship, their devotions are bereft of spiritual meaning and consequently fail to have the desired effect of bringing about true devotion and subservience to Allah.


Fasting strengthens our fear of Allah and gives us self restraint

Fasting conditions us upon the fear of Allah. This is why Allah says: "O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed for you, as it was prescribed for those before you, so that you may guard against evil." [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 183]

When a person fasts, whether it be a voluntary fast or an obligatory one, he is constantly reminding himself not to eat or drink. This is in spite of the fact that eating and drinking are perfectly lawful for him at other times. He abstains from these otherwise lawful acts on account of Allah's promise, in hopes of attaining Allah's reward. It naturally follows that he will abstain from sin, from those acts that are prohibited to him at all times.

A Muslim needs to understand that this is the whole idea behind fasting. How can a person abstain from food and drink – though they are lawful to him at other times – and then go on to backbite people, spread rumors, tell lies, and engage in all sorts of other sins?

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever does not leave off false speech and evil deeds, then Allah has no need of his leaving off his food and drink." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (1903)]

We know that Allah has no need for us to leave off eating and drinking in any case, even when we abstain from false words and false deeds. What this means is that fasting has not been prescribed because Allah needs us to do so, it has only been prescribed to assist us in restraining ourselves from false words and evil deeds. Therefore, if we do not abandon these things, then to what avail is our fasting?

If fasting does not awaken in us this consciousness, then it is to no purpose. We must work to cultivate this consciousness. Fasting needs to bring us to the point where we can easily give up sinful deeds like backbiting, spreading rumors, slander, licentiousness, and all ignoble, destructive traits.


Fasting builds character

Another benefit of fasting is that it develops our character by strengthening our willpower and bolstering our patience. This is why fasting is sometimes referred to as patience and Ramadan is sometimes called "the month of patience".

Allah says: "Seek help in patience and in prayer." [Sûrah al-Baqarah: 45]

Some commentators of the Qur'ân have said: "The word `patience' here refers to fasting. It means `Seek help in fasting and prayer'."

This is because fasting forces us to exercise our willpower and practice patience. Many of us need to constantly exercise our willpower to keep it strong.

There is a psychological benefit in operation here. Researchers into the causes of success say that success requires three ingredients:

1. Desire: All people wish to be strong, successful, and financially well off. Desires like these exist for everyone.

2. Strength or ability: Most people have the mental and physical wherewithal and the skills that they need to succeed if they properly put their minds to it.

3. Willpower: Strong willpower is one of the greatest reasons for success in both this world and the next.

Fasting strengthens the will and conditions a person to cope with difficulties in all aspects of his life. It helps to develop the very quality that only successful people possess, the quality of those people who can turn their desires into a reality by using skills and abilities that they have.


Fasting puts our passions and our vain desires in check

This is why the Prophet gave the following advice: "O assembly of young people, whosoever among you has the wherewithal to marry should do so, as it will help him to lower his gaze and safeguard his chastity. And whoever is unable to do so should fast, because it diminishes sexual desire." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (5066) and Sahîh Muslim (1400)]

The Prophet (peace be upon him) points out that fasting withholds a person from responding to his passions.

Some scholars have discussed this hadîth in conjunction with another, where the Prophet (peace be upon him) says: "Indeed, Satan circulates through the descendant of Adam as blood circulates through the body." [Sahîh al-Bukhârî (2039) and Sahîh Muslim (2174)]

Even though the phrase "…so restrict his circulatory paths by fasting" that is sometimes quoted along with this hadîth is baseless, the fact remains that fasting does put our passions in check, and it is quite possible that one way in which it does so is by restricting Satan's ability to circulate within our persons, as stated by some scholars.

What is more likely is that fasting keeps our compulsions in check by keeping us involved in a specific act of worship. This continuous connection with an act of worship helps us to refrain from unlawful acts, including those acts, like the forbidden gaze, that incite our desires.


Fasting provides numerous and varied spiritual and physical benefits

Doctors have discussed the health benefits of fasting and how it can help us in learning to manage our diets. At times, doctors even prescribe fasting for various reasons. Without a doubt, these are at most secondary benefits of fasting. The same can be said for the physical benefits of prayer, pilgrimage, and other aspects of formal worship.

Still, the real reason that a Muslim does any of these things is for the sake of worshipping and obeying Allah. He would do so even if there were no health benefits. Indeed, were it proven to be injurious to his health, he would still do so. However, Allah never commands us to do anything that would harm us in the least except when the benefits of doing so far outweigh the harm.


Source: Teen Islam-Yahoo Groups

[zakirs]

One there was a girl (i wont mention names) i worked with and she worked nights at the time and mentioned in passing that she had to "observe" ramazan all day and that she was so hungry but it seemed to me since she slept all day that she wasnt really changing her routine... nothing about her ramazan was different because she didnt normally eat during the day...

Can someone please clarify this for me?

can u ask it in the advice form , i am too less knowledgeable to answer it .. btw yaay! to approaching ramadan

[Na7lah]

CountdowN

19 More Days
(inshallah)

['Abd-al Latif]

Threads Merged

[Najm]

AsSalamOAlaikum WaRehmatuAllah WaBarkatuhu

Ramadhan is coming so fast now, and there is so much to prepare for. This thread inshaAllah will help all of us with reminders, articles, quotes to increase our imaan and taqwa and solidify our deen......

Media Tags are no longer supported

FiAmaaniAllah

[Proud of Islam]

Jazakom Allah Khair for this beneficial thread..

Soon insha Allah we will be in the holy & great month..

It’s great that we have a month to wash our sins & rest our souls by feeling the mercy of Allah..
It’s great that we feel the suffer of poor people & so make do’aa for them & give them alms..
It’s great when feeling that we are one Ummah fasting together & competing and encouraging each other to worship Allah..

The Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him) has said: "Perhaps a person fasting will receive nothing from his fasting except hunger and thirst." [Ibn Majah, Ad-Daarimee, Ahmad, al-Baihaqi, Sahih]..
Hope we won’t be among those..
We have to protect our fasting from any obscene talk or deed..

We have to try to make our worship in each Ramadan better than the previous Ramadan, because one Ramadan will be the last one in our life..

O Allah, Allow let us live to witness the holy month of Ramadan..


----------------------------------------------------------------

Longing for the Paradise (Al-Jannah) where the endless happiness…

[ansar.tajudeen]

Alhamdulilah nice thread...

Masha Allah

[Omar Abdi]

Ameen


10 great goals to set for this Ramadan


1. Eat, drink and be moderate

Almost all of us do it - once Iftar time hits, we just keep plowing food and drink into our mouths till it's hard to move afterwards. And those of us who do it know this is totally contrary to the spirit of Ramadan, through which we're supposed to learn self-control not self-indulgence. Let's try to stick to the Prophetic rule on eating: fill our stomachs with one-third food, one-third water and one-third breathing space, even in Ramadan.

2. Give a dollar a day in charity...or five or ten

The Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, was always generous but even more so in Ramadan. Let's open our hearts and dig a little deeper in our wallets this year. Even less than a dollar a day adds up. Whatever you can give, it's the intention that counts.

3. Memorize 4 new Surahs

Memorizing the Quran often seems like a daunting task. But the key is doing it in small bites. Since there are four weeks in Ramadan, try to memorize one new Surah a week. Start off with a short, easy one. Once you've started, you'll build momentum and may even want to memorize a longer one the following week.


4. Go to Tarawih prayers

Post-Iftar, the first urge is to sleep after an exhausting day. But try your best to head out to the mosque for Tarawih prayers. Praying alone is wonderful, but doing it in congregation is fantastic. The community spirit is part of Ramadan's blessings. Don't miss it this year. If going every day is not possible, try going at least one week.

5. Attend the Tarawih prayer in which the recitation of the Quran will be finished

Call the local mosque and find out which day the Imam will be finishing the recitation of the Quran in prayer. Attend to not only hear part of the Quran's recitation in prayer, but also participate in the heart-rending Duas that follow it.


6. Stop swearing and/or backbiting – with a special box

It's hard not to shoot our mouths off when someone's upset us. Whether we utter those four-letter words or backbite about someone to our family and friends, we know this isn't the God-approved way of letting off steam. In Ramadan, when we want to build our spirituality, we've got to wage Jihad against our bad habits.

Try this: get a box and every time you catch yourself swearing or backbiting put some money in it. It could be a buck or less. The point is to choose an amount that makes it feel like punishment.

At the end of the month send the money to a charity or buy a gift for the person whom you've backbitten the most against.


7. Call/email your relatives

You'd think that given the easy access to email, competitive long-distance calling rates, phone cards, etc. these days, we'd keep in touch with family and friends more often. But the opposite seems to be the case, as we get caught up in life's "busyness."

Strengthening ties with family members and keeping in touch with friends is part of our way of life and an act Allah is very pleased with. This Ramadan, call family and friends or at least email them a Ramadan card and ask them how their fasting is going.


8. Go on a technology diet

Even if you work in the IT industry, you can do this. Avoid checking personal email and surfing the web during your fast. After Iftar, instead of plopping yourself in front of the screen, go to Tarawih. The same goes for the television. The point is to try to give our full attention to spiritual elevation this month.


9. Read 5 minutes of Quran a day...just five, not more, not less

Even if you feel you've got absolutely no time, set a timer or the alarm on your cell phone and find a relatively quiet place. You can read the first page of the Quran you open or follow a sequence. The choice is yours. The point is simply to connect with God through His revelation in the month of the Quran.


10. Forgive everyone who has hurt you

Still got a festering wound from the fight with your friend last year? Still upset about something your spouse said during a heated argument? Or are you still bitter about the way your parents sometimes treated you as a kid? Let go of the anger and pain this Ramadan and forgive those who have hurt you. Forgiving someone is not only good for the body, but it's also great for the soul. And in Ramadan, ten days of which are devoted to Allah's forgiveness, shouldn't we lesser beings forgive too?

If you find it very difficult to forgive everyone, forgive at least three people.

Source: Teen Islam- Yahoo Groups.

MashAllah,Jasakalahu kheirun ,May Allah reward you. Very good tips.
Alhamudulilah.

[Na7lah]

CountdowN

18 More Days
(inshallah)

[Najm]

AsSalamOAlaikum WaRehmatuAllah WaBarkatuhu

Media Tags are no longer supported

FiAmaaniAllah

[BlackMamba]

Wow it's coming so quickly. Just 12 days after school starts is Ramadan. I think Isna says that Ramadan will begin 22nd so taraweeh in most of America is Friday night the 21st. Coming close!

[Na7lah]

Ughh i keep forgetting to post the countdown (someone else can take the honor if you want)

Is it 15 Days now?

[sirajstc]

wow grea8 jazakalla kahair

[north_malaysian]

Wow it's coming so quickly. Just 12 days after school starts is Ramadan. I think Isna says that Ramadan will begin 22nd so taraweeh in most of America is Friday night the 21st. Coming close!

in Malaysia too... it's said that 22nd August will be the first day of fasting

[sirajstc]

in Malaysia too... it's said that 22nd August will be the first day of fasting

here sri lanka 21may be 22

[brotherubaid]

I have a question about this...(please i know this is not exact wording) I remember reading the Koran that during the time of Ramazan a person should NOT sleep all day and wake up in the evening to "skip over" the fast. that would be like the person's days and nights are backwards and it doesnt count...

My question is... I would really like to participate in Ramazan from the bottom of my heart but right now i work night shift... So for me... (if i understand correctly) I would fast during my "normal hours" or in this case at night... and after sunrise i could eat and drink respectivley... I am only confused because my shift is at night...

One there was a girl (i wont mention names) i worked with and she worked nights at the time and mentioned in passing that she had to "observe" ramazan all day and that she was so hungry but it seemed to me since she slept all day that she wasnt really changing her routine... nothing about her ramazan was different because she didnt normally eat during the day...

Can someone please clarify this for me?

Assalam O Alikum Wa Rahmatul Lahi Wa barakathu

Sister what u read about not sleeping in day time to skip over that fast is mostly for those people who are not working etc , or students n all , who stay awake all night hanging out with frineds and wasting teir time , or out here in arab world the youth just play games n eat n drink n hang out all night n then sleep from sunrise after fajr all the way to opening of the fast.This behaviour is disliked and such a person does not get the fruits of fasting.

Fasting is leaving eating , drinking and marital relations during the day , untill sunset and praying at nights , and busying tyhe nights is supplications reading quran and standing up in prayer , and offcourse sleeping. So those who change their roiutines completly will not benefit from ramadan a lot.

But sister those people are an exception who work night shifts , They are not waking up at night for meaningless things and so they can sleep all day and skip over the fast , they are working. But YeS They do lose out on something very importnat , that is doing good in nights , like prayer , supplication n dua n making lots of istighfaar n repenting n reading quran etc . So such people are not exactly like the peple we discussed earlier. But those who work night shifts have to Understand these things.

1- They can sleep at day time , but they ahve to wake up for Each salah (Prayer) at its time and pray it on its time , coz fast will not benefit a person if he is not praying , leaving prayer all together , leaving some prayers or skipping prayers and not prayingt them on their time can ALL get a person out of islam n we seek refuge from Allah. SO one can work at night , sleep in day BUT has to make sure he/she wakes up for ALL prayers , Like fajr , Dhur n asr and pray them ON their TIME!! this is very importnat.

2- Such people miss out on the voluntairy acts of worship like prayers , quran n supplication n repentence , But they should try to have a time for that in their days , prefreably between the Fajr( Morning) Prayer and Dhur(Noon) prayer . The Prophet sala lahu alihiu wa sallam if missed his Voluntairy prayers at night and witr He would Pray them at thime between fajr n duhur. He sala lahu alihi wa sallam used to pray 11 units of prayer or rakats at night in ramadan n inother months 8 taraweeh n three witr and if due to some reason he could not pray them then He used to prasy 12 Rakats between fajr n duhur which is also called the DUHA time. here we also conclude that if a person prays 3 witr at night and he misses them , then in the morning he will have to PRAY 4 rakat n not THREE , as the Prophet prayed 12 instead of 11 rakats. Witr are wajib n should be made up , if a person prays one rakat he can pray 2 and if he prays 3 he can pray 4 in the morning.

3- Ramadan is like a school , lke aprogramm that prepares us for the comming year , it has great bounties n blessing , so one sleeping all day will miss a lot, but those who have to work at night are an exception InshahAllah , They shoukd try to set their annual leave according to ramadan , n take holidays if they can , but if they cannot then InshahAllah there is notthing wrong , and even if they have to sleep at day time, they should make sure they wake up fr all prayers , and They have to observe the fast during day time.


4 and Most Importnat

Even if u work at night n sleep at day , the fast is only during the day , and the Prophet has ordered to hurry up and not delay the Opening of fast in the evening , right after sunset. So one should in no way continue his fast in the evening and night because indoing so he is actually going agaist tjhe teachings of the prophet n He sala lahu alihi wa sallam said My ummah is in goodness as long as they hasten to break the fast. Or how ever he said it i dont remebr the exact words.

The fast is from WHEN THE WHIT THREAD OF DAWN (LIGHT) APPEARS TO BE DISTINCT FROM THE BLACK THREAD .. Mening when the time of fajr starts .. till sunset ... so no mater what a persons schedule is , His fast has to be from first and beginning of dawn till the sunset. In no way should fast be fasted in night coz one stays awake at night , No that is changing the religion and fast all together!! So fast is in day , i a working person has tro sleep in day time , its alright , he still has to fast in day.

Here is from surah Al baqarah verse 183 -187 it should explain what fast is , from what time to what time InshahAllah.

183. O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious). ... -( Fast is prescribed so we can become pious)

184. [Observing Saum (fasts)] for a fixed number of days, but if any of you is ill or on a journey, the same number (should be made up) from other days. And as for those who can fast with difficulty, (e.g. an old man, etc.), they have (a choice either to fast or) to feed a Miskîn (poor person) (for every day). But whoever does good of his own accord, it is better for him. And that you fast, it is better for you if only you know.

185. The month of Ramadân in which was revealed the Qur'ân, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever of you sights (the crescent on the first night of) the month (of Ramadân i.e. is present at his home), he must observe Saum (fasts) that month, and whoever is ill or on a journey, the same number [of days which one did not observe Saum (fasts) must be made up] from other days. Allâh intends for you ease, and He does not want to make things difficult for you. (He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allâh [i.e. to say Takbîr (Allâhu-Akbar; Allâh is the Most Great) on seeing the crescent of the months of Ramadân and Shawwâl] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him.[]

186. And when My slaves ask you (O Muhammad SAW) concerning Me, then (answer them), I am indeed near (to them by My Knowledge). I respond to the invocations of the supplicant when he calls on Me (without any mediator or intercessor). So let them obey Me and believe in Me, so that they may be led aright.

187. It is made lawful for you to have sexual relations with your wives on the night of As-Saum (the fasts). They are Lîbas [i.e. body cover, or screen, or Sakan, (i.e. you enjoy the pleasure of living with her - as in Verse 7:189) Tafsir At-Tabarî], for you and you are the same for them. Allâh knows that you used to deceive yourselves, so He turned to you (accepted your repentance) and forgave you. So now have sexual relations with them and seek that which Allâh has ordained for you (offspring), and eat and drink until the white thread (light) of dawn appears to you distinct from the black thread (darkness of night), then complete your Saum (fast) till the nightfall. And do not have sexual relations with them (your wives) while you are in I'tikâf (i.e. confining oneself in a mosque for prayers and invocations leaving the worldly activities) in the mosques. These are the limits (set) by Allâh, so approach them not. Thus does Allâh make clear His Ayât (proofs, evidences, lessons, signs, revelations, verses, laws, legal and illegal things, Allâh's set limits, orders, etc.) to mankind that they may become Al-Muttaqûn (the pious - see V.2:2).




I hope it clears ur question , i end it by stressing that one should fast during the day , and not exceed the limits of Allah and break the fast at sunset and hurry in breaking the fast and do not delay it , coz in doing so is the good and khair as the Prophet told us sala lahu alihi wa sallam.

In no way or unde and circunstances prayer should be left , it has to be prayed at its time , those youth who sleep all day and miss all prayers , what good will fast do to u , coz this action of u is getting u out of islam , so what good fasting will do to a non muslim?? fear Allah .

Please know the importance of prayer and imp[lement it as soona s possible in ur lives , isnt it enough to know that the Prophet On his death bed was continously advusung and ordering to keep praying and never leave it besides other things like Turning graves into places of worship and always thining good of Allah.So praying is like the last will of the prophet , some of his last words were about holding on to the prayers .. subhanAllah , how could we be neglectful... read the seerah and the last days n hours of the prophet and u will realise how important prayer is.


Assalam O Alikum

Subhanak Allahuma wa bihamdika Ishabdu in la Illah illa ant Astighfiruk wa atoub ilayk

[MMohammed]

15 day smore!
Yay!
MashaAllah.

[BintAbee]

Here are some tips that can help in our preparation Insha Allah
Preparing the soul
• Reflect upon the arrival of Ramadan, its importance and analyze the ways in which you can make this year’s sacred month better than the previous ones.
• Recite and listen to the Qur’an a lot more than in usual days. Reflect and ponder upon its meaning.
• Read inspiring books that help you change your bad habits into good ones. Books like “The Ideal Muslim” and “The Ideal Muslimah” by Muhammad Ali Al-Hashimi are certainly helpful Insha Allah.
• Read the Prophet’s Seerah (peace be upon him) to see how he and his Companions strove to become the best of human beings.
• Clean up your daily schedule by removing unnecessary distractions such as wasting too much browsing the Internet. Create more time for worship.
• Develop a routine that you can carry into Ramadan. (For example, reciting one Juz of the Qur’an after Asr everyday.)
• Offer your prayers without delay at its earliest time.
• Note down the habitual mistakes and wrong deeds you do. Ramadan is the perfect time to work them off. It’s much easier to do this in Ramadan than in any other month.
• Keep a close check on what you say, the words you utter, and how your relationship is with your parents and other people close to you.
• Try waking up early to pray Tahajjud so it becomes a routine when Ramadan comes.

Preparing the body
• If you have the habit of eating a lot, then reduce your intake. Eat according to the Sunnah (one-third of the stomach for food, one-third for water and one-third empty).
• Cut down on your extra sleeping hours to put in more time for worship in Ramadan.
• How about quitting smoking? Isn’t this the perfect time to take the step once-and-for-all?
• Eat a healthy diet. Consume more of fresh fruits, vegetables and meat. Avoid fried and fatty food.
• Slowly decrease your daily consumption of caffeinated beverages (during the day, at least) so you do not experience headaches or lethargy while fasting in Ramadan.
• Try and go without food for six hours, at least between meals, to prepare the body metabolism to adapt to the change. You will be amazed at how versatile the body is.
• Drink more water (at least 8-10 glasses everyday) to cleanse your body of toxins and jump-start your metabolism.
• Adopt simple, easy-to-do exercises such as stretching. Take a 30 minute walk to keep your muscles tuned up (ready for the race of good deeds in Ramadan).

“And I (Allah) created not the jinns and humans except they should worship Me.” (Qur’an, 51:56) – SG

Source

[aadil77]

I hope this year the pakistani and all other mosques start and finish ramadan and celebrate eid on the same day

[brotherubaid]

I hope this year the pakistani and all other mosques start and finish ramadan and celebrate eid on the same day

Its sad , soem one tell them this hadith

Aboo Hurayrah (radiyallaahu ’anhu) related that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi
wa sallam) said: "Fast when they fast, end the fast when they end theirs, and sacrifice the day that they sacrifice." [Saheeh: Related by at-Tirmidthee (2/37).
Shaykh al-Albaanee authenticated it in as-Saheehah (no.224)]

Its much clearer in arabic , Basicaly means fast is one the day when u all fast n eid is the day when u all have eid, its importance canot be stressed enough , there are other hadiths also in this regard , that fast in the day when u all fast , collectively , so its very sad to see in pakistan that one city or a village is fasting n the other is not n in peshawer its eid but next town its not.. really the hadiths of beginning n ending ramadan are plenty n its sooo sad to see this

Here is a great article , i suggest every one read it , InshahAllah u guys will benefit.

Ramadaan: A Reminder of Unity

Aboo Hurayrah (radiyallaahu ’anhu) related that the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi
wa sallam) said: "Fast when they fast, end the fast when they end theirs, and sacrifice the day that they sacrifice." [Saheeh: Related by at-Tirmidthee (2/37).Shaykh al-Albaanee authenticated it in as-Saheehah (no.224)]

Al-Bayhaqee relates by way of Aboo Haneefah, who said: ’Alee Ibnul-Aqmar
related to me, from Masrooq, who said: I entered upon ’Aa‘ishah on the day of
’Arafah, so she said: "Serve Masrooq with some gruel, and make it more
sweeter." Masrooq said: Nothing prevented me from fasting this day except that I feared that it may be the day of Sacrifice. So ’Aaishah said to me: "The day of Sacrifice is when the people sacrifice, and the day of ending the fast is when the people end their fast."
This chain of narration is jayyid (good), due to what has preceded.


UNDERSTANDING THE HADEETH
Imaam at-Tirmidthee says after quoting the hadeeth: "One of the People of
Knowledge has explained this hadeeth by saying: Its meaning is to fast and end the fast along with the Jamaa'ah and the majority of people."
As-San'aanee said in Sublus-Salaam (2/72): "In this (hadeeth) is a proof that
being in agreement with the people is accepted in establishing the ’Eed, and that the individual person who believes that it is the day of ’Eed - because of sighting the moon - then it is obligatory upon him to be in agreement with the people, and that the ruling of the people - concerning the Prayer, breaking the fast, and sacrificing - is binding upon that individual."


Ibnul-Qayyim (rahimahullaah) mentioned this meaning in Tahdheebus-Sunan
(3/214), and said: "It is said: In it is a refutation of those who say that
whosoever knows the positions of the moon due to astronomical calculations,
then it is permissible for him to fast and end the fast, even if others do not know.
It is also said: 'that the individual witness who sees the moon, but the qaadee
(judge) has not accepted his testimony, then there is no fasting for him, just as there is no fasting for the people."


Abul-Hasan as-Sindee said in Haashiyah ’alaa Ibn Maajah, after mentioning the
hadeeth of Aboo Hurayrah which was related by at Tirmidthee: "And its apparent meaning is: That there is no room for individual (opinions) to enter into these affairs, nor to act individually in this. Rather, this affair goes back to the Imaam (the Leader of the Muslims) and the Jamaa’ah (united body of Muslims under the Imaam). It is obligatory upon the individuals to follow the Imaam and theJamaa’ah. From this is that if an individual sights the moon, but the qaadee rejects his witness, then the individual has no right in these matters, but rather he must follow the Jamaa’ah in this."

And this is the meaning which is evident from the hadeeth, and which is
emphasized by the fact that ’Aa‘ishah (radiyallaahu ’anhaa) used it with Masrooq when he prevented himself from fasting on the day of ’Arafah, fearing that it could be the day of Sacrifice. So she explained to him that there is no weight given to his individual opinion in this, and that he should follow the Jamaa’ah. So she said to him: "The day of Sacrifice is when the people sacrifice, and the day of ending the fast is when the people end their fast.’’


And this is what is befitting for the easy-natured and tolerant Sharee’ah
(Prescribed Islaamic law), one of the goals of which is uniting the people
together, unifying their ranks and keeping away from them all that would split
their comprehensive unity - from the individual opinions. So the Sharee’ah does not give any weight to the individual opinion in matters concerning ’ibaadah jamaa’iyyah (collective acts of worship); such as Fasting, -‘Eed, and Prayer in congregation - even if the opinion is correct, from one angle.

Do you not see that the Sahaabah (the Companions) (radiyallaahu ’anhum) used to pray behind each other? So from them were those who held the view that touching a woman, or the flowing of blood from the body invalidates the wudhoo’ (ablution), along with those who did not hold this view. From them were those who would complete the Prayer whilst travelling, whilst others shortened.
Yet these, and other such differences, did not prevent them from collectively prayin behind a single Imaam and deeming it to be acceptable.
And this is because they knew that tafarruq (splitting-up) in the Religion is more evil than having ikhtilaaf (differences) in some opinions. Indeed, the matter with one of them reached the extent that he would not even deem acceptable any opinion which differed with the great Imaam in the major gatherings; such as the gathering at Minaa (during Hajj), to the extent that he would totally abandon acting upon his opinion in that gathering - fleeing from that which could result from this evil, because of acting according to his own opinion.

Thus, Aboo Daawood relates (1/307) that ’Uthmaan (radiyallaahu ’anhu) prayed four rak’ahs at Minaa, so ’Abdullaah Ibn Mas’ood criticised him saying: "I prayed two rak’ahs with the Prophet (sallallaahu ’alayhi wa sallam), and two rak’ahs with Aboo Bakr, and two rak’ahs with ’Umar, and two rak’ahs with ’Uthmaan in the beginning of his rule, then he completed it (i.e. by praying four rak’ahs). After that the ways became divided with you all. So I hope from these four rak’ahs, that two of them would be accepted." Then Ibn Mas’ood prayed four rak’ahs. So it was said to him: You criticised ’Uthmaan, yet you prayed four? So he said:
"Differing is evil."

So those who continue splitting-up with regards to the Prayer, and who refuse to follow the local Imaams in some mosques - especially in the witr Prayer during Ramadhaan - using as proof that this is against their madhhab (school of thought), then they should reflect upon the above mentioned hadeeth and athar (narrations). Likewise, those who claim knowledge of astronomy and who, due to their opinion, fast and end their fast alone - preceding or lagging behind the majority of Muslims, not seeing any problem in doing so - should also reflect upon the previously quoted proofs.
So all of them should consider, and reflect upon the knowledge that has been
mentioned. Perhaps they will find for themselves a cure for their ignorance and self-delusion, so that they may then become a unified rank along with their Muslim brothers - for indeed the Hand of Allaah is over the Jamaa’ah.

Ramadaan: A Reminder of Unity
Shaykh Muhammad Naasirud-Deen al-Albaanee
Source: Silsilatul-Ahaadeethus-Saheehah (1/442-445), the hadeeth
authentication has been abridged and edited
www.calltoislam.com