Virtues of Fasting:
The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) said:
“Our Lord the Mighty and Majestic, said: “Fasting is a shield with which a slave (of Allaah) protects himself from the Fire. It is for Me, and it is I who shall compensate for it.””
Authenticated by Al-Haithamee (Al-Majma`, 5077), Al-Albaanee (Saheeh-ul-Jaami`, 4308), Shu`aib Al-Arna’oot (Musnad Ahmad, 14710) and others.
The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) said:
“Whoever fasts a day in the way of Allaah, Allaah will place between him and the Fire a trench like that between the heavens and the earth.”
Authenticated by Al-Haithamee (Al-Majma`, 5172) and Al-Albaanee (As-Saheehah, 563).
Aboo Umaamah (radiyallaahu `anhu) said: “O Messenger of Allaah! Tell me of a deed by which I may enter Paradise.” He (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) said:
“Take to Fasting; there is nothing like it.”
Authenticated by Al-Albaanee (Saheeh-ul-Mawaarid, 769) and Shu`aib Al-Arna’oot (Saheeh Ibn Hibbaan, 3425).
The Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu `alaihi wa sallam) said:
“Fasting and the Qur’aan intercede for the slave (of Allaah) on the Day of Resurrection. Fasting will say: ‘O my Lord, I prevented him from food and desires so accept my intercession for him.’ And the Qur’aan will say: ‘O my Lord, I prevented him from sleep at night, so accept my intercession for him.’ So their intercession will be accepted.”
Authenticated by Ahmad Shaakir (Musnad Ahmad, 10/118), Al-Albaanee (Saheeh-ut-Targheeb, 984, 1429; Saheeh-ul-Jaami`, 3882), Al-Waadi`ee (Ash-Shafaa`ah, 248) and others.
