Volume 3, Page 130a: Fasting, eating
a pre-dawn meal
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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