General Recommendations of Fasting (1/2)

Ramadan comes with blessings to the Muslims. The reports from the Qur’an and the Sunnah (tradition reports of the Prophet) encourage an increase in action to get reward as we fast out of gratefulness to Allah. There are a number of spiritual behaviours that should be practised during Ramadan. These are observed in accordance with the instruction of Allah the Most High and Strongly recommended by the Prophet (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him), his companions (may Allah be pleased with them) and Muslim scholars. Practicing and applying these principles, rules and behaviours helps the person maximize the physical as well as spiritual benefits of fasting. In general, performing deeds, which are from the Sunnah carry with them extra blessings. Now, when we combine these deeds with the uniqueness of the month of Ramadan, the rewards are unimaginable.

It is strongly recommended by Prophet (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) to observe these general practices especially during Ramadan:

1. Having Pre-Dawn meal (Suhoor)

Suhoor is the eating and drinking at the end of the night with the intention of fasting. It is strongly emphasised and highly recommended by the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him). He (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) ordered for one intending to fast, that he should partake of the Suhoor, to the extent that he (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) forbade us to leave it, saying: “The Suhoor is a blessed meal, so do not leave it, even if one of you just takes drops of water, since Allah sends mercy and His Angels seek forgiveness for those who take the Suhoor”. (Reported by Ahmad)

The time of Suhoor starts from midnight and ends a few minutes before Fajr. Zayd Ibn Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that: “We took Suhoor with the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) and then we stood up for prayer. I said: “How long was the interval between the adhan and Suhoor?” He replied: “The time required for the recitation of fifty verses”. (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim)

It is recommended to delay the Suhoor as close to Fajr as possible. This is indicated in the Hadeeth narrated by Zaid bin Thabit (may Allah be pleased with him): “We took Suhoor with the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) and then we stood up for Fajr. It was asked: ‘How long was the gap between the two?' He replied “the time required for the recitation of fifty verses””. (Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The Prophet (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) also instructed us saying:

“Hasten the breaking of the fast and delay the Suhoor”. (Reported b Sahih Al-Jami’)

Merits/ Values of Suhoor:

As indicated by the Prophet (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him), there are blessings and spiritual values in Suhoor. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) said:

“Take Suhoor for there is blessing in it”. (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim).

These blessings are both religious, which includes obeying the Prophet (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) and Opposing the people of the Book, and worldly, which includes enjoyment of pure food and drink in order to keep strong and healthy for fasting. These merits and values can be illustrated as follows:

For Blessing:

It is narrated from Abdullah Ibn Al-Harith (may Allah be pleased with him) who reported from one of the Companions of the Prophet (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) that:

“I entered upon the Prophet and he was taking the Suhoor and he said: 'It is a blessing which Allah has given to you, so do not leave it’”. (Reported by Ahmad and Nasaaee)

Similarly, Abu Said al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that: The Prophet (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) said:

“The Suhoor is a meal of blessings, so do not leave it, even if one of you just takes a gulp of water, since Allah sends mercy and His angels seek forgiveness for those who take Suhoor.” (Reported by Ahmad)

The above ahadeeth indicate that Suhoor is a Sunnah of the Prophet (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him). This meal is blessed and maintains ones energy and vitality during fasting.

Distinction from the people o f the Book:

Suhoor is a distinctive mark with which Allah the Most High has blessed the Muslim nation. It is related from Amr Ibn Al-Aas (may Allah be pleased with him)  that Allah’s Messenger (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) said,

“The difference between our observance of fast and that of the People of the Book is the taking of Suhoor”. (Reported by Muslim)

These reports from the Prophet (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) and actions of his companions (may Allah be pleased with them all) leave no room for us to miss Suhoor.

2. Breaking the fast hastily

Hastening in breaking the fast has been recommended by the Prophet (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him). It is reported from Sahl Ibn Sad (may Allah be pleased with him) that Allah’s Messenger (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) said:

“My people will continue doing good deeds as long as they hasten in breaking the fast”. (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim)

The person who breaks the fast in its early time is best loved by Allah the Most High because he is a true follower of the Sunnah of the Prophet (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him). This is indicated in the Hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) said,

“Allah the Most High says: “from amongst my slaves, the Quicker the one is in breaking the fast, the dearer is he to me””. (Reported by At-Tirmidhi)

It has been the practice of the Prophet (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) of breaking the fast and performing Maghrib prayer in the early moments of the prescribed time. Abu Atiyah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that: Masruq and I visited Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) and said:

“There are two of the Messenger’s companions and neither of them holds back from doing good acts. One of them hastens to break the fast and hastens to pray while the other delays breaking the fast and delays praying the Maghrib. She asked which of them hastens to break the fast and hastens to pray? We told her that it was Abdullah Ibn Masood. She said that Allah’s Messenger (Peace and Blessing of Allah be upon him) used to do so”. (Reported by Muslim)

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