Hadhrat Salman RA narrates that during the last Jumu’ah of the month of Sha’ban, Rasullullah ( sallallhu alaiyhi wasallam) recited a Khutba(sermon) in which he said:
“0 People! An auspicious month has dawned over you. In that month is a night which is superior to a thousand months (i.e. ibadat in this night is superior to the ibadat rendered in a thousand months. Allah Ta’ala has made fasting compulsory in this month, and has decreed wakefulness at night (i.e. Taraweeh Salat) Sunnah. A Nafl (non-obligatory or optional) act rendered in this month for attaining proximity to Allah, is equal to a Fardh act rendered in other months. A fardh act rendered in this month is equal to seventy Fardh acts of other months. Whoever gives to a fasting person something for Iftar, his sins will be forgiven and he will be saved from Jahannam; he obtains as much reward as the fasting person (to whom he had given something for Iftaar) while the reward of the person is not reduced in any way.”The people asked: ‘0 Rasullullah! All of us are not by the means to give something for the Iftar of another. (They were at the time under the impression that Rasullullah SAW referred to a full meal). Rasullullah SAW said: “This reward is even for a person who gives another a date, a drink of water or milk (for Iftaar)…”
(Ibn Khuzaimah)
Nabi ( sallallhu alaiyhi wasallam) said:
“My ummah has been given 5 special things that were not given to anyone before them. The smell from the mouth of a fasting person is sweeter to Allah than the fragrance of musk. The fish in the sea seek forgiveness on their behalf until they break fast. Allah decorates His special jannah everyday and then says the time is near when My faithful servants shall cast aside the trials of the world and come to you. In this month the rebellious shayateen are chained, so as not to incite evil which they normally do in other months. On the last night of Ramadhan, the fasting Muslims are forgiven.†The companions inquired: “O Messenger of Allah: Is that night laylatul qadr.†Nabi ( sallallhu alaiyhi wasallam) replied: “No, but it is only right that a servant should be given his reward on having completed his duty.â€
(Reported by Ahmad and Baihaqi)
Nabi ( sallallhu alaiyhi wasallam) said: “Every good deed of the child of Adam is increased (in reward) from 10 to 700 times.†and Almighty Allah says: “Except fasting, for verily it is for Me and I, Myself will reward it.†“The fasting person abstains from desire and food for My sake.†(Mishkhat Shareef). Nabi ( sallallhu alaiyhi wasallam) said: “For the fasting person there are two occasions of joy – pleasure at the time of breaking the fast and at the time of meeting his Rabb (Sustainer).†(Mishkat Shareef)