Alsiraj Official Website

Alsiraj Banner Image

Controversial miscellaneous issues related to Islam

Fasting in Islam
The Prophet in Ramadan

Our noble prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, has given us the best example on how a Muslim should fast. Here we will explain briefly some of his habits in Ramadan such as:

1- When did the Prophet Fast
It was a part of his guidance that he would not begin fasting the month of Ramadan until he had sighted the new moon or someone testified that he had seen it. If he did not sight it and no one testified to having sighted it, he would complete thirty days of Sha'baan. He ordered his companions then to complete thirty days of Sha'baan and this does not contradict his words: "If it is hidden from you, then calculate (when it should appear)" [narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim]

2- Ramadan… the month of worship
Ibn al Qayim mentioned that:
'Among the guidance of the Prophet in the month of Ramadan was his engagement in many forms of worship. The angel Gabriel used to teach him the Quran in this month. Whenever Gabriel met him he was more generous than a guided breeze. He was, ordinarily, the most charitable person, and yet when Ramadan arrived he became even more generous. He gave much charity and engaged in kind acts, recitation of the Quran, prayers, remembrance and retreat during this month.'

Ibn Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that when the month of Ramadan approached, the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to set free every prisoner and give alms to every beggar.' Shu'bul Imaan vol.1 pg.311; Hadith 3629

The Prophet Muhammad was the best of those who remembered and worshipped Allah. As for the month of Ramadan, it was made to be a season of worship and a time for remembrance and recitation. His nights were spent in supplication and humiliation unto his Lord, seeking His help, support, victory and guidance. He recited long chapters of the Quran and stayed for long periods bowing (in ruku') and prostrating himself before Him. Such was the desire that was never satisfied with worship, making his standing in the night a source of sustenance and supply as well as power and energy. Allah Almighty says:

'O Thou enwrapped one! Keep awake [in prayer] at night, all but a small part' (73:1)

'And rise from thy sleep and pray during part of the night [as well], as a free offering from thee, and thy Sustainer may well raise thee to a glorious station [in the life to come]' (17:79).

Among his practices also was that of retreat and seclusion during the last ten days of Ramadan. The Prophet did this in order to attune his heart ever more with Allah and to free his mind from the concerns of the world. The gaze of his heart thus became entirely focused in the heavens.

During this time, he limited his contacts with people and intensified his supplication and prayers to Allah, the Lord of all Majesty and Glory. His heart, therefore, indulged purely in the contemplation of Allah's attributes and qualities

3- His eating Habits in Ramadan
a- Hasten breaking of fast
Sahal, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The people will remain prosperous so long as hey hasten in breaking their fast (at the time of Iftaar)." Bukhari vol.1 pg.263; Muslim vol.1 pg.351; Tirmidhi vol.1 pg.150

b-Easting a meal before dawn (The Suhoor)
Amr ibn Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that the holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "The difference between our fasting and the fasting of the people of the Book (Jews and Christians) is the Suhoor (partaking of a last meal shortly before dawn)." Muslim vol.1 pg.350 He (saws) would eat dates for his pre-dawn meal (suhoor) and he would incite his Companions to take the Suhoor even if it was only a gulp of water. And he would delay the Suhoor until shortly before Fajr.

c-Supplication before breaking his fast
Abdullah ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that when the holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, broke fasts he would say: "The thirst has vanished, the veins have become moist (the blood in the veins has started to flow freely again) and the rewards are certain; if Allah wills." Abu Dawud vol.1 pg.321

d-Manners of breaking the fast
Breaking one's fast in the manner described in the hadith narrated by Anas, may Allah be pleased with him: “The Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, used to break his fast with fresh dates before praying; if fresh dates were not available, he would eat (dried) dates; if dried dates were not available, he would have a few sips of water." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 3/79 and others. He said it is a ghareeb hasan hadeeth. Classed as saheeh in al-Irwa', no. 922).

4- His manners in Ramadan
a-Avoiding sin
Keeping away from sin, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “When any of you is fasting, let him not commit sin…" (Reported by al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, no. 1904).

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever does not stop speaking falsehood and acting in accordance with it, Allaah has no need of him giving up his food and drink." (Al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, no. 1903).

The person who is fasting should avoid all kinds of forbiden actions, such as backbiting, obscenity and lies, otherwise his reward may all be lost. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “It may be that a fasting person gets nothing from his fast except hunger." (Reported by Ibn Maajah, 1/539; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/453).

Not allowing oneself to be provoked, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “If someone fights him or insults him, he should say, 'I am fasting, I am fasting.'" (Reported by al-Bukhaari and others. Al-Fath, no. 1894) One reason for this is to remind himself, and another reason is to remind his adversary. But anyone who looks at the conduct of many of those who fast will see something quite different. It is essential to exercise self-control and be calm, but we see the opposite among crazy drivers who speed up when they hear the adhaan for Maghrib.

b- Generosity
Al-Bukhaari and Muslim reported that Ibn 'Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was the most generous of people [in doing good], and he was most generous of all in Ramadaan when Jibreel met with him, and he used to meet him every night in Ramadaan and teach him the Qur'aan. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) was more generous in doing good than a blowing wind." (Reported by al-Bukhaari, al-Fath, no. 6).

Ibn Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrates that when the month of Ramadan approached, the Holy Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, used to set free every prisoner and give alms to every beggar.' Shu'bul Imaan vol.1 pg.311; Hadith 3629

Combining fasting with feeding the poor is one of the means of reaching Paradise, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “In Paradise there are rooms whose outside can be seen from the inside and the inside can be seen from the outside. Allah has prepared them for those who feed the poor, who are gentle in speech, who fast regularly and who pray at night when people are asleep." (Reported by Ahmad 5/343; Ibn Khuzaymah, no. 2137. Al-Albaani said in his footnote, its isnaad is hasan because of other corroborating reports).

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever gives food to a fasting person with which to break his fast, will have a reward equal to his, without it detracting in the slightest from the reward of the fasting person." (Reported by al-Tirmidhi, 3/171; Saheeh al-Targheeb, 1/451). Shaykh al-Islam [Ibn Taymiyah] (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “What is meant is that he should feed him until he is satisfied." (Al-Ikhtiyaaraat al-Fiqhiyyah, p. 109).

A number of the companions, may Allah have mercy on them, preferred the poor over themselves when feeding them at the time of iftaar. Among these were 'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Umar, Maalik ibn Deenaar, Ahmad ibn Hanbal and others. 'Abd-Allaah ibn 'Umar would not break his fast unless there were orphans and poor people with him.