WHAT ARE THE VIRTUES OF FASTING? 1. The one who fasts for the sake of ALlaah will enter paradise through a gate called "Ar-rayyan." 2. The one who fasts will be distanced from hell fire. 3. The reward of the one who fasts has no limit. WHEN IS RAMADAN OR HOW TO KNOW WHEN WE ARE TO COMMENCE FASTING? The day to begin Ramadan fasting is not by calculation (This contradicts prophetic guidance), it is by sighting the crescent of the month of Ramadan In a situation where the crescent of the month of Ramadan is not sighted on the 29th of Shaban(the month before Ramadan), either due to the weather or clouds or any other thing,then we are to make Shaban 30 and begin fasting the following day. A month is either 29 or 30 days in Islaam . In a situation where you got to know by afternoon that we are already in the month of Ramadan, what should you do ? You will refrain from eating,drinking and sexual intercourse immediately and begin your fasting,there is no ﻗﻀﺎﺀ (paying back the fast)on you. Check ﺻﻔﺔ ﺻﻮﻡ ﺍﻟﻨﺒﻲ by shayk Saleem and Shayk Alliy for the tahreer.