In the year 2 AH, during the last ten days of Sha’baan, fasting during the month of Ramadhaan was made obligatory. In this regard, the following verse was revealed:

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِيْ أُنْزِلَ فِيْهِ الْقُرْاٰنُ هُدًى لِّلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنٰتٍ مِّنَ الْهُدَىٰ وَالْفُرۡقَانِ ۚ فَمَنْ شَهِدَ مِنْكُمُ الشَّهْرَ فَلْيَصُمْهُ

 The month of Ramadhan is a month in which the Qur’aan was revealed, as guidance for mankind and as clear signs of guidance and as a criterion (i.e. that shows the right way and distinguishes between right and wrong). So those of you who witness the month must fast in it. (Surah Baqarah v. 185)

It is reported from Ummul Mumineen Hazrat Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) and Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) that when Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) came to Madinah Munawwarah, he instructed the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) to fast on the Day of Aashuraa (10th of Muharram).

When the fast of Ramadhaan was made fardh, then Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “As far as the fast of Aashuraa is concerned, then one has a choice. If he wishes, he may keep the fast, or if he wishes, he may not keep the fast.”

Hazrat Salamah bin Akwa’ (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports, “On the day of Aashuraa, Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) instructed a man to publicly announce, ‘The one who has not eaten anything from the morning as yet should fast for this entire day, and the one who has eaten something from the morning should refrain from eating anything for the entire day and resemble those who are fasting.’”

Sadaqatul Fitr and Eid Salaah

Just two days before the termination of the month of Ramadhaan, the obligations of Sadaqatul Fitr and Eid Salaah were revealed. In this regard, the following verse was revealed:

قَدْ أَفْلَحَ مَنْ تَزَكّٰى ‎﴿١٤﴾‏ وَذَكَرَ اسْمَ رَبِّهِ فَصَلّٰى‎

 Successful is he who has spiritually cleansed himself and he has mentioned the name of his Lord then performed the salaah (of Eid). (Surah A’laa v. 14-15)

Hazrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz (rahimahullah) explained the verse to mean, “Successful is the one who has discharged his Sadaqatul Fitr and performed the Eid Salaah.”

(Extracted from Seeratul Mustafa 1/471-472)