The Etiquette of Fasting

It is recommended for the fasting person to abide by the following acts:

1.      Pre-dawn Meal

 

Anas narrated that the messenger of Allah (sallahu alayhi wa salaam) said: “Have a pre-dawn meal for there is blessing in the pre-dawn meal.”¹ This “pre-dawn” can be fulfilled simply by a sip of water. Abdullah ibn ‘Amr narrated that the Messenger (sallahu alayhi wa salaam) said:, Have a pre-dawn meal even if it just be a sip of water.”²

It is also recommended to delay the eating of the pre-dawn meal. Anas narrated from Zayd ibn Thabit who said, “The Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa salaam)had a pre-dawn meal and then he went to the prayer. I (Anas) asked him, ‘What was the time between the call to prayer and the pre-dawn meal?’ He replied, About the time it takes to read fifty verse.’”³

If the person hears the call to prayer while his food or drink is already in his hand, he can eat or drink. Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sallahu alayhi wa salaam) said: “ If one of hears the call to prayer while his cup is in his hand, he should not put it down until he has satisfied his need from it.”⁴   

 

2.      Refraining from vain speech foul language and other acts that do not befit the fast.

 

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa salaam) said, “If it is a day in which one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relations and quarrelling. If anyone wants to pick a fight with him, he should say, I am fasting.”⁵  He also narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sallahu alayhi wa salaam) said, “ For whoever does not give up false speech and acting by it Allah has no need for him to leave his food and drink.”⁶

 

3.      Generosity and Study the Quran

 

Ibn ‘Abbas said, The Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa salaam) was the most generous of the people in doing well. He was most generous during Ramadan when he would meet with (the Angel) Gabriel. Gabriel would meet with him every night during Ramadan until the month finished. The Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa salaam) would recite the Quran with him. When he would meet Gabriel, he was more generous in doing good than a beneficial fast wind.”⁷  

 

4.      Hastening in Breaking the Fast

 

Sahl ibn S’ad narrated that the Messenger of Allah (sallahu alayhi wa salaam) said, “The people will continue to be in a state of goodness as long as they hasten in breaking their fast.”⁸

 

5.      Breaking the Fast with what is mentioned in the hadith if it is easy to do so.

 

Anas said, “ The Prophet (sallahu alayhi wa salaam) would break his fast with ripe dates before praying. If not he would break his fast with dried dates. If that were not available he would drink some water.”⁹  

 

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1.       Recorded By Bukhari, Muslim, Timidhi, Nasa’I and Ibn Majah

2.       This Hadith is Saheeh. See Shaikh Al-Albaani, Saheeh Al-Jaami as-Sagheer no. 2945. Recorded by Ibn Hibbaan

3.       .Recorded by Bukhari, Muslim, Tirmidhi, Nasa’I and Ibn Majah

4.       This hadith is Saheeh See Shaikh Al-Albaani Saheeh al-Jaami as-Sagheer no 607. Recorded by Abu Dawood and al-Hakim

5.       Recorded by Bukhari , Muslim and Nasa’i

6.       This hadith is Saheeh See Shaikh Al-Albaani, Mukhtasar Saheeh al-Bukhari, no. 921. Recorded by Bukhari, Abu Dawood and Tirmidhi

7.       Recorded by Bukhari and Muslim

8.       Ibid

9.       This hadith is hasan See Shaikh Al-Albaani Saheeh al-Jaami  as-Sagheer, no.2065. Recorded by Abu Dawood and Tirmidhi.