May Allah accept our efforts during this month and allow us to see many more Ramadan’s اللهم آمين

*Advice to the Fasting Person – Shaikh Abdullah al-Iryaani حفظه الله*

_The Shaikh حفظه الله said:_

“And in the end, we advise with having Taqwa of Allah, the Exalted, seriousness and striving in the obedience of Allah, worship, obtaining understanding of the religion, holding fast to reading, and reciting the Noble Qur’an.

Beware of four matters:

*First:* Beware of heedlessness, for the month of Ramadan is not a month of amusement, games, staying up at night and following Television series, and competitions. Rather it is a month of obedience and hastening to the pleasure of the Lord of the creation.

*Second:* Beware of being preoccupied with a large diversity and variety of food from striving in standing for prayer and increasing in the recitation of the Quran. For Ramadan is not a month to make ‘Itikaaf in the kitchen, busying with travelling, and wedding banquets. Rather, it is a month for the Muslim male and female to reach the level of one fasting and praying.

*Third:* Beware of being negligent at the end of Ramadan from continuing to recite the Quran, striving in supplication, and silent supplication to Allah. For verily actions depend on the end. For many people, unfortunately, are preoccupied from Layltul-Qadr and its blessing with Eid clothing, going from market to market, and exhibition to exhibition. The guidance of the Prophet is doing ‘Itikaaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan and seeking Layltul Qadr in it.

*Fourth:* Beware of procrastination. For how many people are in heedlessness, so when month of Ramadan ends they feel remorse and loss. Then he makes contracts, promises, and covenants that if Allah allows him to reach the next Ramadan that he will strive in Ramadan and make time for Ramadan from the beginning. When that promised Ramadan comes to him, he is in that same heedlessness and negligence. Like this, in Allah aid is sought, he is consistent in procrastination every year.

So you Oh slave of Allaah have made many promises that you have broken, many contracts you have nullified, is it not now that you should be truthful with Allah? Is it not now that you should fulfill your covenant with Allah? Then this is Ramadan that you have reached so there is nothing upon you except to be truthful to Allah and seek His assistance in righteous actions“.

_[Durus ar-Ramadaaniyyah pg. 26-27]_

*Translated by:*

Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan Abu Sulaymaan

Source:

http://darussaafi.com/?p=3218

Ramadan 
﷽
All praise is due to Allah and may peace and blessing of Allah be upon the Messenger ﷺ, his family, companions and all those that follow their path of righteousness until the day of judgment. 
To proceed I would like to remind you about Ramadan. 
Obligation, Status and Wisdom of Fasting in Ramadan
Allah (سبحانه و تعالى‎) says 
“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-Muttaqun (the pious).” 
[Surah al-Baqarah 2:183]
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, Islam is built upon five pillars, testifying that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah and that Muhammad is His messenger, establishing the prayer, paying the Zakah, fasting the month of Ramadan and performing Hajj.
[Saheeh Muslim 16 (1/21). Narrated by Abdullah Ibn Umar (رضي الله عنه)]
Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (رحمة الله) said, The wisdom behind fasting is that it trains one to restrain the soul, and it gives one strength to withhold his soul by its bridle, such that one can govern it and lead it towards that which is good for it and what will make it successful. 
[Majaalis Shahr Ramadan Page 41-43]

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Some of the benefits and blessing of fasting in the Month of Ramadan
• Fasting has no limited reward
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, Allah (سبحانه و تعالى‎) said: Every act of the son of Adam is for him except fasting. It is done for My sake, and I will give a reward for it.
[Saheeh Muslim 1151 (13/210). Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه)]
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (رحمة الله) explains: The reward for acts of worship is tenfold up to seven hundredfold, up to many times more, except fasting, for it is Allah Who will reward for it. What that means is that the reward for it is very great indeed. The scholars said that this is because fasting combines three types of patience, namely patience in obeying Allah, patience in refraining from disobeying Allah, and patience in accepting His decree. It is patience in obeying Allah because the individual is patient in doing this act of obedience. It is patience in refraining from disobeying Him because he avoids that which is prohibited for the fasting person. And it is patience in accepting the decree of Allah because the fasting person experiences the pain of thirst, hunger, tiredness and lack of energy. Hence fasting is one of the most sublime forms of patience, because it combines the three types of patience.
Allah (سبحانه و تعالى‎) says “Only those who are patient shall receive their rewards in full, without reckoning” 
[az-Zumar 39:10]. 
[ash-Sharh al-Mumti‘ (6/458)]
• The Fasting person has two occasions of joy 
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “There are two (occasions) of joy for the observer of fast. The joy when he breaks his fast and the joy when he meets his Lord.”  
[Saheeh Muslim 1151 (13/214). Narrated by Abu Hurayrah & Abu Said (رضي الله عنه)]
• The fasting person breath is more beloved to Allah then the fragrance of Musk.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “By Allah in Whose Hand is the life of Muhammad, the breath of the observer of fast is beloved to Allah than the fragrance of musk.”

[Saheeh Muslim 1151 (13/210). Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه)]
• The Devils are chained, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed. 
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.” 
[Saheeh al-Bukhari 1899 (30/9). Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه)]

Shaykh Ibn Uthaymeen (رحمة الله) said, The majority of the scholars hold that the sins in Ramadan outweigh the sins outside Ramadan 
[Bulūgh, Volume: 7, Page 166] 
• Forgiveness of sins
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.”
[Saheeh al-Bukhari 1901 (30/11). Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه)]
• Ar Raiyan, one of the doors of Paradise which only the observer of Fasts shall enter

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “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.” 
[Saheeh al-Bukhari 1896 (30/6). Narrated by Sahl (رضي الله عنه)]

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Recite and Revise the Quran in month of Ramadan for verily it was revealed in this blessed month!

Allah (سبحانه و تعالى‎) says
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong).” 
[Surah al-Baqarah 2:185]
And Allah says

“Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree)”

[Surah al-Qadr 97:1]
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “The Night of Qadr is in the last ten nights of the month (Ramadan)”

[Saheeh al-Bukhari 2022 (32/9). Narrated by Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه)]

And also

“Gabriel used to meet him (Muhammad ﷺ) every night during Ramadan to revise the Qur’an with him.” 
[Saheeh al-Bukhari 3554 (61/63). Narrated by Ibn Abbas (رضي الله عنه)]

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Things to avoid whist fasting
• False speech and evil actions 
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Whoever does not give up forged speech and evil actions, Allah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink (i.e. Allah will not accept his fasting.)” 
[Saheeh al-Bukhari 1903 (30/13). Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه)]
• Acting foolishly, fighting & sexual relations
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Fasting is a shield (or a screen or a shelter). So, the person observing fasting should avoid sexual relation with his wife and should not behave foolishly and impudently, and if somebody fights with him or abuses him, he should tell him twice, ‘I am fasting.” 
[Saheeh al-Bukhari 1894 (30/4). Narrated by Abu Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه)]
If there is any good then it from Allah and if there are any mistakes or errors then it is from myself a son of Adam and slave of Allah.

__________
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, Whoever invites to guidance, he will have a reward similar to the reward of those who follow him, without reducing anything from their rewards. 
[Recorded by Muslim in the Book of Knowledge, Chapter: Whoever Institutes a Good or Evil Practice]

Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Hizaam hafidhuhallah wrote:
“Fasting ‘Ashoora
It comes in the Saheeh Muslim from Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (ﷺ) was asked about fasting on the day of ‘Ashoora. He said: “It expiates the sins of the past year”
An-Nawawi (mercy be upon him) said in Sharh Saheeh Muslim (8/4): “The Scholars agreed that fasting ‘Ashoora is Sunnah”.
They differed regarding day of ‘Ashoora. The majority of the Scholars of the Salaf and those who came after them were of the opinion that ‘Ashoora is the tenth of Muharram. 
It was said it is the ninth day. They said: it is the opinion of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) and they used as evidence what is in Saheeh Muslim: 
Hakam b. al-‘Araj reported:

I went to Ibn ‘Abbas (Allah be Pleased with both of them) and he was reclining using his mantle as a pillow near the fountain of Zamzam. I said to him: Tell me about fasting on Ashura. He said: When you see the new moon of Muharram then count the (days) and observe fast on the 9th. I said to him: Is it how the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) observed the fast? He said: Yes.
What is apparent is that Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) intended by fasting the ninth to oppose the Jews, not that ‘Ashoora is the ninth due to the evidence of what came in Saheeh Muslim:
‎ – يَقُولُ حِينَ صَامَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ وَأَمَرَ بِصِيَامِهِ قَالُوا يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ إِنَّهُ يَوْمٌ تُعَظِّمُهُ الْيَهُودُ وَالنَّصَارَى ‏.‏ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏ “‏ فَإِذَا كَانَ الْعَامُ الْمُقْبِلُ – إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ – صُمْنَا الْيَوْمَ التَّاسِعَ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ فَلَمْ يَأْتِ الْعَامُ الْمُقْبِلُ حَتَّى تُوُفِّيَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم.
That when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) fasted on the day of ‘Ashoora and commanded that it should he observed as a fast, they (his Companions) said to him:Messenger of Allah, it is a day which the Jews and Christians hold in high esteem. Thereupon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: When the next year comes, God willing, we would observe fast on the ninth. But the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) died before the advent of the next year.
And what supports that is what is established from Sa’eed ibn Mansoor with a Saheeh chain as is in the book al-Iqtidaa as-Siraat al-Mustaqeem from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him): “Fast the ninth and tenth, oppose the Jews”
[See: Sharh Saheeh Muslim (8/11-12), Fath (no. 2008), and Tafseer al-Qurtubi (1/391)]
Combining Between the Ninth and Tenth Day
It is benefited from the Hadith from Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) in the previous issue that it is recommended to fast the ninth with the tenth in opposition to the Jews. The majority of the Scholars recommended it. From them is Shafi’ee and Ahmad (may Allah have mercy upon them) 
[See: Sharh Muslim (8/12-23) and Tawdeeh al-Ahkaam (3/201)]
Wisdom Behind the Command to Fast ‘Ashoora
In the Saheeh on the authority of Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) that: 
أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَدِمَ الْمَدِينَةَ فَوَجَدَ الْيَهُودَ صِيَامًا يَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ فَقَالَ لَهُمْ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ مَا هَذَا الْيَوْمُ الَّذِي تَصُومُونَهُ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ فَقَالُوا هَذَا يَوْمٌ عَظِيمٌ أَنْجَى اللَّهُ فِيهِ مُوسَى وَقَوْمَهُ وَغَرَّقَ فِرْعَوْنَ وَقَوْمَهُ فَصَامَهُ مُوسَى شُكْرًا فَنَحْنُ نَصُومُهُ ‏.‏ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى لله عليه وسلم ‏”‏ فَنَحْنُ أَحَقُّ وَأَوْلَى بِمُوسَى مِنْكُمْ ‏”‏ ‏.‏ فَصَامَهُ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَأَمَرَ بِصِيَامِهِ 
That the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) arrived in Medina and found the Jews observing fast on the day of ”Ashoora. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said to them:

What is the (significance) of this day that you observe fast on it? They said: It is the day of great (significance) when Allah delivered Moses and his people, and drowned the Pharaoh and his people, and Moses observed fast out of gratitude and we also observe it. Upon this the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: We have more right, and we have a closer connection with Moses than you have; so Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) observed fast (on the day of ‘Ashoora), and gave orders that it should be observed.
[See: Sharh Muslim (8/9)]
Note:
It was mentioned in the previous Hadith: “It expiates the sins of the past”. What is apparent is that fasting the day of ‘Ashoora expiates the minor and major sins. However, the majority of Scholars are of the opinion that it does not expiate the major sins. If one fasts the day of Arafah and the day of ‘Ashoora, then they are not better than fasting Ramadan nor are they better than the five obligatory prayers. 
The Prophet (ﷺ) said: 
‎الصَّلَوَاتُ الْخَمْسُ وَالْجُمُعَةُ إِلَى الْجُمُعَةِ وَرَمَضَانُ إِلَى رَمَضَانَ مُكَفِّرَاتٌ مَا بَيْنَهُنَّ إِذَا اجْتَنَبَ الْكَبَائِرَ
The five (daily) prayers and from one Friday prayer to the (next) Friday prayer, and from Ramadhan to Ramadhan are expiations for the (sins) committed in between (their intervals) provided one shuns the major sins [Reported by Muslim from the authority Abu Hurariah (may Allah be pleased with him)]
This is the statement of the majority of the Scholars and it is the more correct opinion. 
[See: Sharh Muslim (6/383) and Tawdeeh al-Ahkam (3/201)]”
[Ithaaf al-Anaam (pg. 160-163)]
So this is a reminder for the brothers to fast the ninth and tenth of Muharram which is:
 Monday Oct 10, 16 (Ninth of Muharram)

 Tuesday Oct 11, 16 (Tenth of Muharram)
And Allah Knows Best
Faisal Ibn Abdul Qaadir Ibn Hassan

Abu Sulaymaan

Ash-Shaykh Muhammad bin Saalih al-Uthaymeen, rahimahullah, was asked the following question:
 هل للصائم أجر إذا كان أمامه أناس يأكلون؟ وهل ورد في السنة ما يبين ذلك إذا كان هناك أجر لأن بعض الإخوة يقول: إن الملائكة تترحم عليه؟
Question: Is the fasting person rewarded if there are people in front of him eating? And has anything come in the Sunnah which clarifies there being some type of reward [for it] since some of the brothers say that the angels make du’a of mercy for him? 
الجواب: هذا لا أعلم فيه نصاً عن الرسول عليه الصلاة والسلام أن فيه أجراً أو أن الملائكة تترحم عليه، لكن بعض السلف ولا سيما في التابعين كان يرى أن ذلك من الصبر، يعني من زيادة الصبر، يعني كون الإنسان يصبر على الصيام مع أن الناس يأكلون حوله يزداد بذلك أجراً، لا سيما مع توقان النفس إلى الأكل والشرب فإنه يزداد أجره لأنه سوف يزداد صبره.
Answer: I am unaware of any texts from the Messenger sallahu alayhi wa salam that there is a reward [for it] or that the angels make du’a of mercy for him. However, some of the Salaf especially during the time of the Tabi’een would see it to be from patience; meaning to be an increase of patience. Meaning the fact the person is patient upon fasting while people are eating in front of him is an increase of the reward by that, especially if his inner self is desiring food and drink. For verily he will have an increase of reward since he will obtain by it an increase of patience.
Reference : al-Fataawaa Athulaathiyyah (1-2-3).