General Recommendations of Fasting (2/2)

3. Breaking the fast with fresh/dry dates or water

It is desirable for the fasting person to break the fast with a few dates or, if that is not obtainable, with plain water right after sunset. Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that:

“The Messenger of Allah used to break his fast before offering prayers with some fresh dates, but if there were no fresh dates, he would take a few dry dates and if there were no dry dates he would take a few drops of water”. (Reported by Tirmidhee)

Again, Salman Ibn Aamer (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“When one of you break fast, he should do so with dates, but if he cannot find any; he should break his fast with water for its pure”. (Reported by Abu Dawood)

4. Supplication at the time of breaking the fast

The person who observes fasting should make use of this spiritual month and call upon Allah with supplications for anything good, and hopefully the good of this life and the Hereafter will be attained. The Messenger of Allah (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) used to say the following recommended Dua at the time of breaking the fast:

"Allah humma laka sumna, wa 'ala rizqika aftarna” “O Allah for you we have fasted And on Your provision we have broken the fast”. (Reported by Abu Dawood)

5. Using the Siwak (tooth stick brush)

It is recommended for the fasting person to make use of the Siwak while fasting, at the beginning or the ending of the day Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that: the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“It (i.e. Siwak) is a purification for the mouth and it is a way of seeking Allah’s pleasures.” (Reported by Bukhari)

And narrated Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him), that the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“But for my fear that it would be hard for my followers, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with Siwak on every performance of ablution.”

6. Patience in obeying Allah

A person, who observes fast, should try to increase his obedience to Allah during his fast and avoid His disobedience. He/she should exert the utmost in patience and humbleness.

7. Safeguarding the fast (i.e. guarding the limbs from what Allah has forbidden)

Fasting, as prescribed, does not merely refer to withholding from food, drink and desires. There are additional spiritual actions a person observing fast should implement in order not to cause its reward to diminish and to attain the benefits of fasting. A person, who observes fast, should perform his obligations and abstain from the prohibitions. It has been pointed out that during fasting not only food, drink and sexual intercourse are prohibited but the improper use of the other organs of the body as well. The one who observes fasting should fulfil all the requirements, which include:

1. A person should be extraordinarily cautious in using senses, mind and, especially, the tongue; to abstain from careless gossip and avoid all suspicious motions. A person who observes fast must abstain from speaking lies, backbiting, deceiving anyone or indulging in anything prohibited - be it verbal or physical. It is related from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that Allah’s (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“Allah the Most High said: “Every act of the son of Adam is for him except As-Siyam (fasting), which is for Me and I Alone mil reward for it. Fasting is a shield; when any one is fasting he should neither indulge in bad language nor he should raise his voice. If anyone reviles him or tries to quarrel with him, he should say: I am fasting. By Him in whose hand is the life of Muhammad, the breath of a man who is fasting is sweeter with Allah on the Day of Judgement than the fragrance of musk. The one who fasts experiences two joys: a joy when he breaks his fast and a joy when he meets his Lord". (Reported by Bukhari and Muslim)

The above hadeeth highlights not only the etiquettes of fasting but also brings into focus the true implication of it. Fasting is not thus mere abstention from food, drink and sex, but also keeping away all evils and ills and implementing virtues.

2. Fasting of the heart from that which leads to prohibited, disliked or non-beneficial things. Allah the Most High says:

“… and follow not that of which you have no knowledge (e.g. one's saying ‘I have seen' while in fact he has not seen or ‘I have heard' while he has not heard). Verily the hearing, and the sight, and the heart, of each of those you will be questioned (by Allah).” (Surah Al- Isra, Verse: 36)

3. Abstaining from falsehood and indecent actions. The Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “If one does not abandon falsehood and indecent actions Allah has no need that he should abstain from his food and his drink". (Reported by Al-Bukhari)

Hence, a person observing fast should say that which will not harm his fast or do actions that would not spoil their fast. The truthful and trusted Messenger (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon him) said:

“It may be that a fasting person attains nothing but hunger and thirst from his fasting". (Reported by Ahmad, Ibn Majah and Bayhaqee)

4. Lowering the gaze and guarding the private parts from sexual intercourse. Allah the Most High says:

“Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and protect their private parts. That is pure for them...” (Surah An-Nur, Verse: 30)

Again Allah, in the same surah, says:

“Tell the believing women to lower their gaze and protect their private parts…” (Surah An-Nur, Verse: 31)

8. Not being excessive in food and drink during Ramadan

The person should eat what is enough for him because too much eating and drinking produces too much tiredness and thus the purpose of fasting is lost. Allah the Most High says:

“Eat and drink and do not be excessive. Verily Allah does not love those who are excessive.” (Surah Al-A’araf, Verse: 31)