Mustahab (recommended) Acts while Fasting
It is Mustahab for the fasting person to observe the following during his fasts:
- Suhoor
(Taking the pre-dawn meal) because the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Take Suhoor, there is a blessing in it.” [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari no. 1923, Saheeh Muslim no. 1095]
(The recommendation of) Suhoor can be accomplished either with an ample amount of food or even a small quantity; it can also be a sip of water. The time for Suhoor extends from midnight until dawn.
- Delaying Suhoor
Zayd ibn Thabit (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated: “We took Suhoor with the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), and then we stood up for prayer.” It was asked, “How long was the gap between the two?” He said: “(The time required for the recitation of) fifty verses.” [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari no. 575, Saheeh Muslim no. 1097]
- Hastening Iftar (breaking the fast)
It is recommended for the fasting person to break his fast promptly after the sunset is confirmed. Sahl ibn Sa’d (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) narrated that the Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“People will always be fine (i.e., on the right path/following the Sunnah) as long as they hasten to break their fast (in Ramadan).” [Saheeh Al-Bukhaari no. 1957, Saheeh Muslim no. 1098]
- Iftar with Dates
If fresh dates are not available, then Iftar with dried dates is permissible, and these should be an odd number. If these are also not available, then with sips of water. This is based on the Hadeeth narrated by Anas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) who said: “The Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to break his fast with some fresh dates before performing Maghrib prayer. If there were no fresh dates, he would eat a few dry dates; if there were no dry dates, he would take a few sips of water.” [Reported by Abu Dawoud no. 2356, At-Tirmidhi no. 696, and authenticated by Al-Albaani who graded it Hasan Saheeh]If nothing is available, one should intend to break his fast in his heart, and that is sufficient.
- Du’aa (supplication) at the time of Iftar and during the fast
The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said:
“There are three whose supplication is not rejected: the fasting person until he breaks his fast, a just ruler, and the one who has been wronged.” [Reported by At-Tirmidhi no. 2526 and Al-Albaani authenticated it in As-Saheeha no. 1797]
- Increasing in Charity, recitation of the Qur’an, providing Iftar for fasting individuals, and other acts of goodness
Ibn ‘Abbaas (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) narrated: “The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was the most generous person, and he was more so particularly in the month of Ramadan when Jibra’eel [Gabriel (‘Alayhis-salaam)] used to meet him every night. Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to recite the Qur’an for him. When Jibra’eel (‘Alayhis-salaam)] met him, he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to be more generous in good acts than a fast-blowing wind.” [Reported by Al-Bukhaari no. 6, Muslim no. 2308]
- Diligence (exerting effort) in the Night Prayer, especially during the last ten days of Ramadan
‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) narrated: “With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e., work hard), and used to pray all night, and used to keep his family awake for prayers.” [Reported by Al-Bukhaari no. 2024 Muslim no. 1174]And also because of the generality of the statement of the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam),
“Whoever prays during the night in Ramadan with Eeman (faith) and Ihtisaab (seeking rewards from Allaah) will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” [Saheeh Muslim no. 759]
- Performing Umrah
Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Umrah during Ramadan is equal to Hajj.” [Reported by Al-Bukhaari no. 1782, Muslim no. 1256] - Replying with the phrase, “I am fasting” to the one who insults (or abuses)
This is because of the teaching of Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), “If one of you is fasting, he should avoid sexual relations with his wife and quarreling, and if somebody should fight or quarrel with one of you, he should say, ‘I am fasting.’” [Reported by Al-Bukhaari no. 1904, Muslim no. 1151, and the wording is of Al-Bukhaari]
Makrooh (disliked) Acts during Fasting
There are some disliked acts for the fasting person that may lead to harming his fast and reducing its reward, these include:
- Excessive Rinsing of the Mouth and Sniffing of Water
This is to prevent water from reaching the throat because the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) instructed, “Snuff up water excessively unless you are fasting.” [Reported by At-Tirmidhi no. 788, An-Nasai’i (1/66), Ibn Maajah no. 407, and authenticated by Al-Albaani in Saheeh An-Nasai’i no. 87]
- Kissing
This is for the one whose desire is (easily) aroused or he cannot control himself. It is disliked for a fasting person to kiss his wife if he fears that it may lead to arousal which will result in nullifying his fast through ejaculation or sexual intercourse. (However,) if one is confident in maintaining his fast from nullification, then there is no harm in doing so. The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to kiss while fasting but ‘Aishah said about him, “he had the greatest control over his desires among you.” [Reported by Al-Bukhaari no. 1927, and Muslim no. 1106]
Similarly, one should avoid everything that may arouse sexual desire or stimulate it, such as gazing at one’s wife or indulging in thoughts about sexual intercourse because this may lead to emission or sexual relations during fasting.
- Swallowing Phlegm
This is because of the fear that it may reach the stomach and give him strength, in addition to the discomfort and harm that may result from this act. - Tasting food unnecessarily
If there is a need for it, such as for a cook who needs to taste the salt, etc., then it is permissible, but with caution to avoid any of it reaching the throat.
Source:
Kitab Al-Fiqh Al-Muyassar Fee Daw’ Al-Kitab was-Sunnah, by a group of Ulamaa’
Always feel free to share the khair!
