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2:186 “ And when My slaves (i.e. the believers) ask you (Holy Prophet) about Me, (let them know that) I am near to them. I respond to the invocation of the person calling Me, when he calls Me. Therefore, (if they wish that their invocations / prayers be accepted) they must obey Me (by offering prayers, paying zakat, fasting in Ramadan, performing Hajj etc.), and believe in Me so that they are guided.”
2:187 “ It is permissible to you to draw near to your wives during the nights of fasting. They are garments for you, and you are garments for them. Indeed, Allah knows that you betrayed yourselves, and, accordingly, He turned to you and forgave you. So now you may draw near to your wives, and seek (children) which Allah has written for you. And eat and drink till the white thread (of light) clearly separates from the dark thread at Fajr (dawn); and then you must complete the fast (from that time onwards) till the night (starts). And don’t touch your wives, when you are observing ‘Itakaf’ in mosques (i.e. staying in mosques during the last third part of Ramadan). These are the limits set by Allah, and, therefore, don’t draw near to them. In this way, Allah clarifies His Verses for the people so that they may fear (Him).”
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Fasting in Ramadan:
Fasting in Ramadan, is one of the five important tenets of Islam. Its importance may further be understood from the following Sayings of the Holy Prophet
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It has been reported that a villager with dirty/scattered hair came down to Allah’s Messenger, and submitted: ‘ Allah’s Messenger! Please let me know how many prayers Allah has made obligatory for me.’ He replied: “(Offer) five prayers (in a day), except that you add optional prayers to it.” The villager then submitted: ‘ Please let me know how many fasts Allah has made obligatory for me.’ Allah’s Messenger replied: “ (Fast) the (whole) month of Ramadan, except that you add optional fasts (in other months).” The villager further submitted: ‘ (Again) please let me know how much zakat Allah has made obligatory for me.’ Allah’s Messenger then informed him about the necessary Commandments. The villager then respectfully submitted: ‘ By Allah, Who has honored you! I will neither add any optional deed, nor subtract from the obligatory deeds.’ On that Allah’s Messenger said: “ He will enter Paradise, if he speaks the truth.” ( Bukhari:1792)
