Sunan as-Sawm (Fasting)

1. Pre-dawn meal (suhoor):

It is narrated on the authority of Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu 'alayhi wa salam said: "Have the pre-dawn meal. Verily in the pre-dawn meal is blessing." [Agreed upon: 2549 & 1923]

2. Hastening the breaking of the fast when the sun has set:

It is narrated on the authority of Sahl bin Sa'd (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu 'alayhi wa salam said: "The people will continue to be fine so long as they hasten to break the fast." [Agreed upon: 2554 & 1957]

3. Standing for night prayer during Ramadhan:

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu 'alayhi wa salam said: “Whoever watches the night in prayer in Ramadhan with faith and expectancy, will be forgiven all his previous wrong actions.” [Agreed upon: 1779 & 37]

4. Staying in `itikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadhan:

It is narrated on the authority of Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: The Messenger of Allah sallallahu 'alayhi wa salam used to practise Itikaf in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan. [Reported by Bukhari: 2025]

5. Fasting for six days in the month of Shawwal:

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Ayoub al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu 'alayhi wa salam said: “He that observed fasting in Ramadan then he follows it with six days of Shawwal, this is equal to the fasting of the whole life.” [Reported by Bukhari: 2758]

6. Observing fast for three days every month:

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayra (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: My friend (the Messenger of Allah sallallahu 'alayhi wa salam) directed me to observe fast for three days in every month, to perform two Rak`ah (optional) Duha prayer at forenoon and to perform the Witr prayer before going to bed. [Agreed upon: 1672 & 1178]

7. Observing fast on the day of Arafah:

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu 'alayhi wa salam said: "Fasting on the day of 'Arafah is an expiation for two years, the year preceding it and the year following it." [Reported by Muslim: 3746]

8. Observing fast on the day of Ashurah:

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu 'alayhi wa salam said: "Fasting the day of 'Ashurah is an expiation for the year preceding it." [Reported by Muslim: 3746]