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241. The basis regarding it is His, the Most High, Statement: “O you who believe, fasting has been prescribed for you just as it was prescribed to those before you…” {Al-Baqarah 2: 183}

242. Fasting is obligatory upon every:

• Muslim
•  بالغ Mature (i.e. He/she has reached puberty)
•  عاقل Sane
•  الصوم على قادر One who has the ability to fast.
• With the sighting of its Hilaal (the crescent moon) or the completion of the month of Sha’baan as 30 days.

He  said: “When you see it then fast and when you see it then break your fast. If the sky is cloudy (and you do not see it) then estimate it.” [Agreed upon]

In another wording: “…Then count it as being 30 (days).”[1] In another wording: “…Complete number of days in Sha’baan as 30.” [Al-Bukhaaree]

243. It (Ramadhaan) is fasted with the sighting of the Hilaal by one who is just. It (the statement concerning the sighting) is likewise not accepted in the other months except if there are two just persons.

244. It is obligatory to make the intention at night for the obligatory fast.

245. As for the superogatory fast, it is permissible to make one’s intention on the day (one fasts).

246. The sick one who is harmed by the fast and the traveler, they may either beak the fast or fast.

247. The menstruating woman and the woman suffering from post natal bleeding; the fast is Haram for them. They are to break the fast and make it up (after Ramadhaan).

248. The pregnant and the breastfeeding woman, if they fear for the safety of the child then they are to break the fast, make it up and feed a poor person for every day (they missed of fasting).

249. The one who is unable to fast due to old age or an illness from which there is no hope of recovery; then he is to feed a poor person for every day.

250. Whoever breaks his fast then it is only upon him to make it up if his breaking of the fast was by eating or drinking or intentional vomiting or cupping or ejaculation by way of contact (arousal).

251. EXCEPT the one who breaks his fast by sexual intercourse; for he is to make up the fast and free a slave. If he does not find a slave to free then he is to fast for two consecutive months. If he is not able to do so then he is to feed 60 poor people.

252. The Prophet  said: “Whoever forgets while he is fasting and he eats or drinks, then let him complete his fast; for it is none other than Allaah who has fed him and given him drink.” [Agreed upon].

253. And he  said: “The people will continue to be upon good as long as they hasten to break the fast.” [Agreed upon]

254. He  said: “Eat the Suhoor[2]. For indeed there is blessing in the Suhoor.” [Agreed upon]

255. He  said: “When one of you breaks his fast, let him break the fast with dates. If he does not find (any dates) then let him break the fast with water; for indeed it is pure.” [Narrated by the five[3]]

256. He  said: “Whoever does not leave off statements of falsehood and acting upon them and ignorance, then Allaah is not in need of his leaving his food and drink.”  [Al-Bukhaaree]

257. He  said: “Whoever dies while there is some fasting due upon him then his Walee is to fast on his behalf.” [Agreed upon]

258. He was asked about fasting on the day of ‘Arafah and he said: “It is an expiation for (the sins of) the preceding year and the remaining year.”

259. He was asked about fasting on the Day of ‘Aashooraa’ and he said: “It is an expiation for (the sins of) the past year.”

260. He was asked about fasting on Monday and he said: “That is the day on which I was born; I was commissioned (with Prophethood) on it or the revelation was sent down to me on it.”  [Muslim]

261. He  said: “Whoever fasts Ramadhaan, then follows it with six days from Shawwaal then it is like fasting for (an entire) year.”  [Muslim]

262. Aboo Dharr said: “Allaah’s Messenger   commanded us to fast on the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth (of the month).”  [An-Nasaa’ee and At-Tirmidhee]

263. He  forbade from fasting on two days: “…the Day of Fitr and the Day of Nahr.”[4] [Agreed upon]

264. He said: “The Days of At-Tashreeq are days of eating, drinking, and remembrance of Allaah the Mighty and Mejectic.” [Muslim]

265. He  said: “Let not one of you fast on Friday except if he fasts (along with it) the days before it or the day after it.” [Agreed upon]

266. He  said: “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadhaan out of Eemaan seeking the reward from Allaah then that which has preceded of his sins will be forgiven for him. Whoever stands on the night of Al-Qadar (in prayer) out of Eemaan seeking the reward from Allaah then that which preceded of his sins will be forgiven for him.” [Agreed upon]

267. He  used to perform I’tikaaf[5] in the last ten nights of Ramadhaan all the ways up until Allaah caused him to die, and his wives made I’tikaaf after him. [Agreed upon]

268. He   said: “Do not embark upon a journey (to a particular Masjid) except to three Mosques: Masjid Al-Haraam, this Masjid of mine[6], and Masjid Al-Aqsaa .[7]” [Agreed upon]

Footnotes:

[1] Al-Bukhaaree (1900) Muslim (2/760)
[2] The Suhoor is a meal eaten before one begins the fast.
[3] Meaning: Al-Bukhaaree, Muslim, Aboo Daawud, At-Tirmidhee, and Ibn Maajah
[4] i.e. The two ‘Eeds.
[5] Seclusion within the Masjid for the last ten nights of Ramadhaan.
[6] i.e. the Prophet’s Masjid in Al-Madeenah Al-Munawwarah
[7]i.e. in Jerusalem

Translated by Aboo Moosaa Raha Batts
http://mtws.posterous.com/the-book-of-fasting-from-minhaj-as-saalikeen