Assalamu Alaikum

Please note that there shall be no iftar in the MSA office on October 30. Rather the iftar shall be held on October 29th, Wednesday.

There are iftars happening at the MSA prayer space during the month of Shawaal on October 16, 20, 21, 23, 27 and 29. Please note that the iftar on Thursday October 23 shall be in HSC 1A3 since the lecture Staying steadfast in Ramadan shall be going on over there. Do come to the lecture and break your fast there InshAllah.

Please email me at rahman (dot) rameez (at) gmail (dot) com if you intend to be fasting.
Please replace the (dot) and (at) with the appropriate symbols.
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Abu Ayyoub reported that the Messenger of Allah, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam said "Whoever fasts the month of Ramadhan and then follows it by fasting six days during the month of Shawwal will be rewarded as if he had fasted the entire year." [Muslim, at-Tirmithi, Ibn Majah, Abu Dawood and Ahmad by way of Jabir]. 
These days can be anytime during the month of Shawwal except the first day because it is unlawful to fast the day of Eid. These days do not have to be at beginning of the month nor do they have to be consecutive. Hence, Muslims should seize this opportunity and fast these six days to get Allah's reward. 

Why the fasting of six days of Shawal after Ramadhan equates that of the whole year? Some `Ulamaa' say that the good deed is rewarded ten times. Thus fasting six days is like fasting 60 days, added to 30 days of Ramadhan times 10 (i.e. 300) it makes it a year. 
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1255. Abu Qatadah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was asked about fasting on Mondays. He said, "That is the day on which I was born and the day on which I received Revelation.''
[Muslim]. 
Commentary: This Hadith points out the excellence of fasting on Mondays. The reason behind this, as is stated in the Hadith, is that the Prophet (PBUH) was born on it and that it was the day on which he received the first Revelation. It coincided with the 17th Ramadan as well. 

1256. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "Deeds of people are presented (to Allah) on Mondays and Thursdays. So I like that my actions be presented while I am fasting.''
[At-Tirmidhi]. 
Commentary: Observance of Saum on Monday and Thursday is Mustahabb (desirable), and the reason for its being so has been mentioned in the Hadith. 

1257. `Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her)u reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to observe fast on Mondays and Thursdays.
[At-Tirmidhi]. 
Commentary: "Yataharra" in the Hadith means to seek and search, that is, he (PBUH) used to make special arrangements for it. The reason he was so particular about these Saum has been mentioned in the previous Hadith.