All Muslims agree that it is preferred to eat a pre-dawn meal and that there is
no sin upon one who does not do so. Anas reported that the Messenger of Allah said:
"Eat a pre-dawn meal, for there are blessings in it." This is related by alBukhari
and Muslim.
Al-Miqdam ibn Madyakrib reported that the Prophet, upon whom be peace, said: "You
should eat this pre-dawn meal for it is a blessed nourishment." This is related
by an-Nasa'i with a good chain. The reason why it is a blessing is that it strengthens
the fasting person, makes him more energetic, and makes the fast easier for him.
The sunnah would be fulfilled by eating a small or large quantity of food, or even
just by drinking a sip of water. Abu Sa'id al-Khudri reported that the Messenger
of Allah said: "The pre-dawn meal is blessed, so do not neglect it even if you only
take a sip of water. Verily, Allah and the angels pray for those who have pre-dawn
meals." This is related by Ahmad.
The time for the pre-dawn meal is between the middle of the night and dawn. It is
considered best to delay it (that is, as close to dawn a possible). Zaid ibn Thabit
reported: "We ate the pre-dawn meal with the Messenger of Allah and then we got
up for the prayer. He was asked: 'What was the amount of time between the two?'
He responded: '[The time it would take to recite] fifty verses.' " This is recounted
by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
'Amr ibn Maimun adds: "The companions of Muhammad, upon whom be peace, would be
the first to break the fast and the last to eat their pre-dawn meals." This is recorded
by al-Baihaqi with a sahih chain.
Abu Zharr al-Ghafari related that the Prophet said: "My nation will always retain
some goodness as long as they hasten breaking the fast and delay eating the pre-dawn
meal." This hadith has in its chain one Sulaim ibn Abu Uthman who is unknown.
If one is in doubt whether or not the time of fajr has begun or not, he may continue
to eat and drink until he is certain that it is fajr. He should not base his action
on doubt or suspicion. Allah has made the signs for beginning the daily fast very
clear and unambiguous. Allah enjoins (upon the believers) in the Qur'an: "Eat and
drink until the white thread of the dawn becomes distinct from the black thread
[of the night]."
A man said to Ibn 'Abbas: "I eat until I suspect that its time has ended so I stop.
Ibn 'Abbas observed: "Continue to eat until you are certain about the time." Abu
Dawud reported that Ahmad ibn Hanbal said: "If you have some doubt about fajr, eat
until you are sure dawn has come." This is the opinion of Ibn 'Abbas, 'Ata, al'Auza'i,
and Ahmad.
An-Nawawi informs that: "The followers of ash-Shafai agree that one may eat if he
is uncertain whether dawn has come or not."
It is preferred for the fasting person to hasten in breaking the fast when the sun
has set. Sahl ibn Sad reported that the Prophet said: "The people will always be
with the good as long as they hasten in breaking the fast." This is related by al-Bukhari
and Muslim.
The fast should be broken with an odd number of dates or, if that is not available,
with some water. Anas reported: "The Messenger of Allah would break his fast with
ripe dates before he would pray. If those were not available, he would eat dried
dates. If those were not available, he would drink some water." This hadith is related
by Abu Dawud and by al-Hakim, who called it sahih, and by at-Tirmizhi, who called
it hassan.
Sulaiman ibn 'Amr reported that the Prophet said: "If one of you is fasting, he
should break his fast with dates. If dates are not available, then with water, for
water is purifying." This is related by Ahmad and by at-Tirmizhi, who called it
hassan sahih.
The preceding hadith also shows that it is preferred to break the fast in the above
manner before praying. After the prayer, the person may continue to eat, but if
the evening meal is ready, one may begin with that. Anas reported that the Messenger
of Allah said: "If the food is already presented, eat before the sunset prayer and
do not eat your meals in haste." This is related by al-Bukhari and Muslim.
Ibn Majah related from 'Abdullah ibn 'Amr ibn al-'Aas that the Prophet, upon whom
be peace, said: "A fasting person, upon breaking his fast, has a supplication that
will not be rejected. When 'Abdullah broke his fast he would say: "O Allah, I ask
of You, by Your mercy that encompasses everything, to forgive me."
It is confirmed that the Prophet would say: The thirst has gone, the glands are
wet and, Allah willing, the reward is confirmed. In mursal form, it is reported
that he would say: "O Allah, for You I have fasted and with Your provisions do I
break my fast."
At-Tirmizhi recorded, with a good chain, that the Prophet said: "Three people will
not have their supplications rejected: a fasting person until he breaks his fast,
a just ruler, and an oppressed person."
Fasting is a type of worship that draws one closer to Allah. Allah has prescribed
it to purify the soul and to train it in good deeds. The fasting person must be
on guard against any act that may cause him to lose the benefits of his fast. Thus,
his fast will increase his God-consciousness, and Allah says in the Qur'an: "O you
who believe, fasting is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before
you so perchance you may attain God consciousness."
Fasting is not just refraining from eating and drinking, but it is also refraining
from everything else that Allah has forbidden. Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet
said: "Fasting is not [abstaining] from eating and drinking only, but also from
vain speech and foul language. If one of you is being cursed or annoyed, he should
say: "I am fasting, I am fasting." This is related by Ibn Khuzaimah, Ibn Hibban,
and al-Hakim. The latter said that it is sahih according to Muslim's criterion.
Abu Hurairah also reported that the Prophet, upon whom be peace, said: "Allah does
not need the fast of one who does not abandon false speech or acting according to
his false speech." This is related by the group, except for Muslim.
Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet said: "Perhaps a fasting person will get
nothing from his fast save hunger, and perhaps the one who stands to pray at night
will get nothing from his standing except sleeplessness." This is related by an-Nasa'i,
Ibn Majah, and al-Hakim. The latter said that it is sahih according to alBukhari's
criterion.
It is preferred for the fasting person to use a tooth stick or a brush. There is
no difference if he uses it at the beginning or the ending of the day. At-Tirmizhi
affirms that: "Ash-Shafhi did not see anything wrong with using a tooth stick [brush]
during the beginning or the ending of the day." The Prophet would use his tooth
stick [brush] while fasting.
Being generous and studying the Qur'an is recommended during any time, but it is
especially stressed during the month of Ramadan. Al-Bukhari recorded that Ibn 'Abbas
said: "The Prophet was the most generous of people, but he would be his most generous
during Ramadan when he would meet with [the angel] Gabriel. He would meet with him
every night and recite the Qur'an. When Gabriel met him, he used to be more generous
than a fast wind."
Al-Bukhari and Muslim record from 'Aishah that during the last ten days of Ramadan,
the Messenger of Allah would wake his wives up during the night and then remain
apart from them (that is, being busy in acts of worship). A version in Muslim states:
"He would strive [to do acts of worship] during the last ten days of Ramadan more
than he would at any other time." At-Tirmizhi also recorded this from 'Ali.
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