Imam Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali (d. 795 AH), may Allah be pleased with him, declared about the first month, Muharram:

There is another hadith on the topic in which Abu Umamah said to the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, “Advise me.” He, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, said, “You should fast as it is a safeguard for you.”

Abu Umamah and his people used to fast so when someone would look at their house, there would just be smoke coming out of the top. If this was in the daytime and people saw the smoke, people knew that they had guests that were not fasting.

And those who regularly fasted include `Umar, Abu Talhah, `A’ishah and others among the Companions and many of the rest of the first three generations. Those who fasted the holy months include `Umar, Al-Hasan Al-Basri and others.

One of them said that it is only a morning and an evening so if you delay your morning to your evening then you bring in the night and you are written down as the regularly fasting people.

The fasting one has two times of joy: (1) joy at the time of his breaking his fast and (2) joy at the time of meeting his Lord when he found the reward of his fasting waiting.

One of them heard a caller at the time of suhur in Ramadan saying, “So to the one who might be thrown into turmoil. Wake up for that and begin your fast.”

It has also been narrated that the people who regularly fast shall have a floor table placed for them under the Throne and they shall eat while the other people are being reckoned. The people shall say, “What is going on with these people? They are eating while we are being reckoned?” It will be said to them, “These were the people that regularly fasted while you did not.”

It is related that they shall be judged while in the fruit pastures of the Paradise while the people are being reckoned. That was collected by Ibn Abid-Dunya in his Book of Hunger.

Allah has said,

The fasting men and women, the men and women that preserve their private parts, the men and women that remember Allah abundantly, these Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and an immense reward.[1]

The Exalted One has also said,

Eat and drink with goodness on account of what you used to do in days gone by.[2]

Mujahid and others have said, “The following was sent down regarding those in regular fasting: whoever abandoned his food, drink and desires for the sake of Allah, Allah shall exchange for him something better than that in terms of food, drink and spouses that shall not die.”

In the Tawrah of old it is mentioned: “Good news to the one who makes himself hungry on the great day of feasting. Good news to the one who makes himself thirsty on the day or great drinking. Good news to the one who left his desire for a promise that he does not see its outcome. Good news for the one who left food in this life in order to consume:”

Food that shall remain forever and shade that is gentle.[3]

Source: Lata’if ul-Ma`arif Fima Li-Mawasim il-`Ami Min Al-Waza’if, pp. 39-41

[1] Surat ul-Ahzab (33), ayah 35

[2] Surat ul-Haqqah (69), ayah 23

[3] Surat ur-Ra`d (13), ayah 35